“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).

All of us feel the constant pull toward worldly priorities and possessions. The world tells us that we can find joy and satisfaction in the things of this life. We think that if we have the right job, the right car, the right house in the right neighborhood, we’ll be content.

In Matthew 6:19–21 Jesus exposes the false promises of these earthly treasures. He points out the obvious, reminding us that the riches of this world are temporary. If we spend our lives pursuing material things, we will inevitably be disappointed because they don’t last. C.S. Lewis describes the power of materialism as the wicked witch who gives her victims food that causes great hunger.

In contrast, Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven. The truth is that everything we have on our final day will be lost. Jesus, therefore, wants better things for us. He desires His followers to seek the true, eternal pleasure secured for them in heaven.  

What is this heavenly treasure that should capture our hearts? God.

Through His sacrifice, Jesus has freed us from placing our significance in the things this life has to offer and gives us access to God Himself. Earthly riches do not compare to what we already have in Christ or our future inheritance.

In this passage, Jesus forces us to question where our allegiance lies. Is it to the kingdom of this world or the kingdom of heaven? When we orient our hearts toward God and His gospel promises, we will desire God’s name to be proclaimed throughout the world instead of our own. Our highest priority will be the expansion of His kingdom. We will dedicate our lives to being disciples and making disciples of all nations.

All that we give, all that we sacrifice for God’s kingdom is really a way of expressing that God is our greatest treasure. When we forfeit comforts in this life and devote our resources so that others may come to worship king Jesus, we are storing treasures in heaven. 

Let us give thanks for the eternal inheritance Christ secured for us through His sacrifice on the cross. As we set our gaze on heaven, let us ask God to help us treasure Him above all else in our hearts and prioritize the advancement of His kingdom in our lives.