Locating My Treasure

July 6, 2020

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:20-21 NLT

In living for Christ, the greatest challenge you’ll face is money and possessions. Jesus said that how we handle money and possessions has a direct correlation to our faith. Essentially, He said we either worship wealth or worship with our wealth.

Generally, “treasures on earth” include money and possessions. They are both things you can touch (houses, clothes, cars, etc.) and things you can’t touch (investments, 401 (k), etc.) But Jesus wasn’t saying you couldn’t have those things. He said don’t focus on accumulating money and things—instead, focus on pursuing Jesus.

What are treasures in heaven? It does mean giving to the needy at our sacrifice and giving to people who can’t repay us (Luke 12:32-33; Luke 14:13-14). It does include tithing and being generous. In fact, in these verses Jesus said we will be repaid when He returns. But it means more than just money and possessions. It’s a lifestyle. Jesus spoke of other ways, not in PLACE of money and possessions but in addition to giving financially. In the Sermon on the Mount alone He talked about prayer, loving our enemies, enduring persecution, faithfully serving God’s people. He said our rewards come from these treasures in heaven: You give, you pray, you forgive, you share the gospel, you love your enemies, you endure insults and persecution for Jesus.

But treasuring Jesus is the priority. Jesus didn’t tell us to start working. He said to focus our hearts on Him, to treasure Him. What we value is reflected in how we live. When my focus is my stuff and the world, I am storing up earthly treasures. When He is my treasure, I will devote my heart and effort to live for Him and others.

  • Ask yourself: Do I treasure Jesus, or do I treasure the world? Do I obsess over earning more money or buying more things? Or am I consumed with living and loving like Jesus? Then question your answers. Ask, “Am I really telling myself the truth?”
  • Read the verse again and pray that you will take it to heart every single day.