OTKC 16: Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21 (ESVUK)

Throughout Jesus’ teaching on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus contrasts earth and heaven. Those contrasts are about what Earth is like as opposed to how Earth should be like when it reflects heaven. It’s also a contrast between what we’re used to and what the Kingdom ushers in that is brand new. This is typified by the radical command to place treasure in heaven rather than on earth. If we are to take His command seriously, it’s worth considering what He means, what that looks like and what we should do in the light of that today.

What on earth does He mean about heaven?

Jesus’ admonition hinges on the transient nature of earthly possessions. The “treasures” He references are not merely money but anything valued above God—status, comfort, or even temporal security. In first-century Judea, wealth often comprised fine garments (vulnerable to moths) and precious metals (susceptible to corrosion). These metaphors underscore a universal truth: earthly investments decay, fail, or vanish. By contrast, “treasures in heaven” represent eternal rewards secured through obedience to God. These include spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), souls won to Christ and acts of righteousness purified by divine fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-14).

Critically, Jesus ties treasure to the heart’s allegiance: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The heart, in biblical terms, governs desires, decisions, and worship (Proverbs 4:23). To prioritise earthly wealth is to risk idolatry, as material possessions increasingly demand devotion. Conversely, storing treasure in heaven reorients believers toward God’s kingdom, where values like justice, mercy, and faithfulness endure (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus, the Early Church and Heavenly Investments

Jesus Himself perfectly embodied this teaching. Though He was rich, “for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Christ laid aside the glories of heaven to invest in our eternal salvation—the ultimate example of storing up treasures in heaven.

The early church demonstrated this principle powerfully. In Acts 2:44-47, we read that believers “had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” This wasn’t communism but voluntary, Spirit-led generosity that resulted in no one having need. Their radical sharing reflected hearts that had been transformed by the gospel.

The Macedonian churches provide another striking example. Despite their “extreme poverty,” they gave “beyond their ability” to support Paul’s ministry (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). They understood that true wealth isn’t measured by what we accumulate but by what we give for God’s kingdom.

The Value of Heavenly Investments

This command strikes at the very core of Christian discipleship because it addresses the fundamental issue of lordship in our lives. Jesus declares in Matthew 6:24 that “you cannot serve both God and money”. The way we handle our resources reveals who truly rules our hearts.

The importance of this teaching becomes evident when we consider that our eternal perspective directly affects our earthly priorities. When we understand that our time on earth is temporary and we’re all headed to eternity, we begin to make decisions that honour God now and forever. This command serves as a spiritual diagnostic tool—it reveals whether we’re living as citizens of heaven or merely as residents of earth.

Furthermore, this teaching provides the only guarantee of true security. Jesus promises that when we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, all our earthly needs will be provided. Conversely, there’s no biblical promise that God will meet our needs if our goal is storing treasure on earth. Those who concentrate on heavenly treasures find that God faithfully provides for their earthly requirements, whilst those who hoard earthly wealth often discover their security is illusory.

The command also protects us from the spiritual dangers of materialism. When we become more concerned about the gifts rather than the Giver, possessions become toxic and pointless. Obsession with wealth ruins our relationship with both God and other people, creating barriers to the abundant life Christ offers.

Practical Steps for Fasting in Secret

• Cultivate an Eternal Perspective: Begin each day by remembering that this world is temporary and eternity is permanent. Regular meditation on Scripture passages about heaven and eternity helps maintain this focus. As John Stott beautifully expressed it, to “lay up treasure in heaven” means “to do anything on earth whose effects last for eternity”.
• Practice Generous Giving: The most direct application is systematic giving to those in need. This includes giving to your local church, supporting mission work, and caring for the poor. Jesus repeatedly linked heavenly treasure to giving to the needy (Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22).
• Invest in Relationships and Ministry: Store up treasures through acts of service that have eternal significance. This includes sharing the Gospel, discipling others, caring for the body of Christ, and serving those who cannot repay you. Even small acts like giving “a cup of cold water” to a disciple are rewarded (Matthew 10:42).

The command to lay up treasures in heaven isn’t about earning salvation—it’s about living as citizens of heaven whilst still on earth. It’s about aligning our hearts with God’s values and investing in what truly matters for eternity. As we obey this command, we discover that we’re not sacrificing earthly pleasure but gaining something infinitely more valuable: treasure that will last forever and a heart that finds its deepest satisfaction in Christ alone.

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom

Questions for Reflection

• What challenges do you face when faced with the command to put Christ above everything?
• What role does the Holy Spirit play in teaching consistency and deliberation?
• What can you do this week to encourage others to give something profound?