“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
We all have things in life that we treasure. Many of us limit our treasure to what we have in a bank account, the stock market or in a secured safe. On this assumption we may think that only the rich and famous have treasures, but treasures may be tangible or intangible.
What is a treasure? A treasure is that upon which you place your affections and attention. It may be your money, possessions, reputation, honor, praise, relationship, grades, degrees or time. Your treasure is that which you value above all other things.
Biblically speaking, there are two types of treasures: heavenly treasures and earthly treasures. The heavenly treasures are things that will last eternal. Earthly treasures are things that can be destroyed. In all honesty, our relationship with possessions could be perceived as a heart problem.
What happens when a person has a physical heart problem? When someone is afflicted with a heart problem, major surgery is required. The goal of the surgeon is to remove whatever is causing the blockage in the heart.
The same is true when curing a spiritual heart problem — the blockage has to be removed! Whatever is diminishing “the flow of our love” for God is known as a blockage, and major surgery is required.
Matthew’s Gospel says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” So no matter what you do, how hard you try, you cannot guarantee that you will not lose your possessions. We can lose our wealth, talents and health overnight. That significant person in your life today can dump you tomorrow. You can suddenly lose your parents, children or loved ones in one automobile accident or through some other tragedy.
There are no guarantees!
If moth or rust can destroy it, if thieves can steal it, if the passing of years can diminish it, if a change of circumstances can wreck it — then it is a treasure that we are storing up for earth, not heaven. We store up heavenly treasures by serving, giving and loving others every day. So, I ask you again, where is your treasure?
Rev. Marion J. Miller is the Senior Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 Thomas V. Bryant Drive, Jeffersonville, IN. She may be contacted at (812) 283-3747 or via email at wesley1201@sbcglobal.net.
