19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21 ESV)
The context of today’s text not only challenges believers in Christ to not treasure treasures on earth but rather to treasure treasures in heaven. Jesus’ similar statement is also a present active command to His disciples. In contrast to earthly treasures, treasures in heaven are not susceptible to decay or thievery. In other words, treasures in heaven are secure for the believer in Christ.
“Don’t miss this utterly radical point. It’s the way Jesus thinks and talks all the time. Being heavenly-minded makes a radically loving difference in this world. The people who are most powerfully persuaded that what matters is treasure in heaven, not big accumulations of money here, are the people who will constantly dream of ways to simplify and serve, simplify and serve, simplify and serve. They will give and give and give. And of course, they will work and work and work, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:28: “so that [they] may have something to share with anyone in need,” states Pastor John Piper.
“The connection with worship — in life and on Sundays — is this: Jesus commands us to accumulate treasure in heaven, that is, to maximize our joy in God. He says that the way to do this is to sell and simplify for the sake of others. So He motivates simplicity and service by our desire to maximize our joy in God, which means that all of our use of money becomes a manifestation of how much we delight in God above money and things. And that is worship.”
This is particularly tough concept for many American Christians to consider; let alone practice. There is a strong emphasis for gain and accumulation by many church leaders. In other words, many stress having your best life now by accumulating all the things that money can buy. According to today’s text, we must do all we can to push back against the cultural and worldly norm of materialism.
The treasure you treasure will be conspicuous in your life. It is not sinful to have possessions such a house, car, or clothes. However, it is sinful when these possession possess you and become your purpose for living.
“The “worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word,” Jesus warned (Matt. 13:22). Didn’t Jesus say something about the futility of trying to serve God and mammon? Didn’t Jesus say something about the futility of laying up treasures on earth rather than in heaven? Didn’t Jesus say where our treasure was, there would our hearts be also (Matt. 6:19–24)? Some who “long for it,” for money, the apostle says, “have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim. 6:10),” explains Pastor Terry Johnson. .
May each of us take to heart what Jesus taught. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 