Treasures in Heaven

Is this what we think of when we think of treasures? Gold, silver, jewels of various kinds and colors, lucre, and the distinct shine and beauty we see in its approximated value?

Well we as Christians are given a simple  rule, a command, a promise and a warning all in one passage, and if you don't like the look of the word "command", like you think it comes from a source unfitting of your attention and obedience, this comes from the very mouth of God, the physical mouth of God, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ, so you had best listen (and if you want to know what gives him the authority to command you, read Isaiah 6, and then read my post about His Kingship).

Our Lord said this to the masses as he taught one of the most famous sermons in the entire canon of Scripture, the Sermon on the Mount, He said:

Matthew 6:19 "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." 

I think we all know this one quite well, it is one of the tenants we recall most when we think of the Sermon on the Mount. But do we think of what it means? We know we must not try to amass treasure on earth because it is temporary (and if you think any differently, go read Ecclesiastes, it will sober you up, and if it doesn't then you must examine your heart immediately), but do we understand what it means to do the opposite, what Jesus calls "laying up treasures in heaven"?

I know that to this day, but for deeper study and grace-driven growth I considered the picture above when I thought of heavenly riches. The image in my mind (and be honest, some of you have thought this way), was of the riches above, but in heaven, the only difference being that the gold, silver, and jewels wouldn't perish. Of course I knew that it wasn't for my gain that I gather these treasures, I had been taught that much at least, that all of that treasure would be amassed for the glory of my gracious King and Lord, but I think we somewhat misinterpret Jesus' words here.

I would submit, (and correct me if you have hard evidence of the contrary) that the treasures our Savior is speaking of isn't some kind of heaven gold, or holy silver, but Himself...

Laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven is merely a counter to laying up treasures on earth, I believe that Christ isn't necessarily speaking of an honest action, but a change of perspective, and change of mind, and a grace-driven change of heart.

Here is where I get this thought: Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

There you have it, Jesus wants to give the crowds, (who as of yet, haven't understood His words) a new perspective, a higher perspective. He wants to change their hearts, not the location where they amass wealth, He wants them (and by exchange, us) to retrain our minds to think that where we put the most value is what matters, not the location that we place our treasure in. Our gracious, and knowing Savior knows us like the back of His hand, indeed, He created us! He knows our bent of mind and calls out to the crowd to change what their hearts truly value, and He wants that value to be placed in something that will never perish, namely, Himself, and nothing else.

With this thought in mind look a little further ahead in Matthew 6, at verses 22-24

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." 

There, the change of perspective, God wants us to devote ourselves to pursuing a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, that is where our treasure must lie, do not be thinking of gold, silver, and jewels, instead picture this when you think of your treasure in heaven:

That is where your heart, and therefore, your treasure must be. In Christ Jesus, and His Gospel, His Cross, and His triumphant Resurrection.

Wonder where I get this? Take a look, never take my word for it, go to the Scriptures, always go to the Word of God.

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

That is what Christ wants us to think of when we think of treasure in heaven, our inheritance through His blood that is untouchable, namely, Christ Himself, who is irremovably seated at the right hand of His Father on high.

That is the treasure we must strive after. For many will kill for money, but who would die for it? We are commanded to be willing to die for our treasure, because our Treasure... Died for us. (See what I did there?)

Strive for Christ Christian, and He will give you the desires of your heart, Himself. (Psalms 37:4), for where your Treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Praying for this kind of heart...

--The Scribe