During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to the multitudes on things of the heart and the snare of giving too much emphasis on something we place significant value to—a treasure—an idol. The word treasure implies something we cherish. We place value upon it above all else. It motivates us into action, and holds great power over us, thus exercising a tremendous grip on our hearts.  When we are focused on earthly success and wealth, we expend our energies on earthly matters of gain. For some of us, fame grabs the attention of our hearts and we get caught up in the fleshly pursuits of the world because it makes us feel good, and this is what we value. There is so much competition to capture our heart: the seat that dictates how we live. This does not mean that we are forbidden to have earthly possessions—indeed, this is not a sin! It is where we place the significance on those possessions. The truth is if we have a desire to please God, we must examine our hearts so that our actions reflect that desire.

Jesus is urging us to place our focus on heavenly treasures. When we store up treasures in heaven, we make choices on earth that benefit God's Kingdom. They are eternal deposits made out of obedience to Christ. If our focus is heavenward, we cannot be enslaved by our possessions because nothing earthbound is worth the price of our soul. What are examples of eternal treasures? These treasures would include—for example—an intimate relationship with God which comes from loving one another, faith-filled prayers, a wisdom which builds our character, and a Christ-honoring life that exemplifies our faith before others.  Heavenly treasures are not given by man, they come from God and are stored for our eternal benefit.

We undervalue eternal treasures because they are not tangible to us. We are fooled because investing our treasures in material things keeps our hearts anchored to earthly values. There is a warning and a reminder that earthly treasures have an expiration date. The moment we take our last breath, earthly treasures will no longer matter. What you treasure here on Earth will have eternal consequences. Our reward for pursuing the things of heaven is an eternal reward, because the day will come when we will give an account of ourselves before God. When we invest in the things that have eternal value and are consecrated to the Lord, our hearts will be in alignment with Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What earthly treasures are competing for your heart? What eternal treasures can you become more intentional about pursuing?

Lord as a citizen of your Kingdom, I want to invest in things that have eternal value. Help me to live a life that pleases You. Help me Lord, to place my hopes on heavenly treasures above all else. When the temptation to store up treasures on Earth come to me, remind me that these things have no eternal value or significance. Reveal to me the areas where You want me to make eternal deposits for Your Kingdom’s glory. Amen.

Scripture References:

Mark 8:36; Romans 14:12; Colossians 3:1-2; James 5:1-3; Proverbs 16:16; 1 Timothy 6:6-10