Storing Up Treasures that will last

In review of Matthew 6:21 it says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).

Today’s verse comes from Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches about money. He tells us to not store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys they, and where thieves break in and steal. Rather we should store our treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Jesus makes it clear that having the wrong treasure will lead my heart being in the wrong place. For what I treasure the most, controls me, whether I admit it or not. If my possessions or money become too important to me, I must re-establish control or get rid of them. Jesus calls for a decision that allows me to live contentedly with whatever I have because I have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures.

What I’m learning is that I am going to enjoy forever what I invest in heaven, and I invest in heaven every time I use money for good.

The other day I looked at investing in eternity by using my money to grow my character, encourage fellowship in the body of Christ, and serving others in need. Today, I will look at two more funds that I should invest in so that I can yield eternal dividends in heaven.

The fourth of God’s investment funds is the Global Fund. This is when I use my money to share the Good News and bring people to Jesus. Luke 16:9 says, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (NIV). This verse means that God wants me to invest in things that help get people into heaven so that when I get there, I’ll be welcomed. This is the greatest investment of my life. Is anybody going to be in heaven because of me?

The last investment fund is God’s Treasury Fund. When I give money to God as an act of worship, that’s called the Treasury Fund. God makes a promise in Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines” (TLB). A tithe is when I give the first 10 percent of my income to God. Anything given above a tithe is called an offering.

I can’t really give God anything, because he already owns it all. But think about the allowance you got as a child. If you went out and bought a birthday present for your mom, you’re really using her money. Does that mean she would like the gift any less? No! Because she cares more about the thought and the love behind the gift. God feels the same way about your giving.

The Bible says that wherever my treasure is, my heart will also be there. If what’s most important to me are the things of this earth, then every day I’m moving further and further away from my treasure. Because every day I’m here on Earth, I’ve got one fewer day here. I’m moving further and further away from the things I’m going to leave behind.

But if I’m investing in God’s funds and using my money to serve God’s purposes, then I’m storing up treasure in heaven every day. I’m getting closer and closer to my treasure instead of further and further away.

Missionary Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Bottom Line:

What you value most is where your heart is.

What this means to me:

What I value the most is where my heart will be drawn to.

In summary, I shouldn’t store up treasures here on earth that won't last. Rather store up the treasures that will last forever in heaven. The focus of my desires will indicate where my heart is. Jesus calls me to live contentedly with whatever I have because I have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures. I need to use my money to; grow my character, encourage fellowship, serve those in need, to share the Good News with others, give off the top as an act of worship (a tithe and offerings above that.) For I won't be a fool to give up what I cannot keep to gain that which I can never lose.

Today I pray Father, “for you to forgive me for all that I’ve spent on things that aren’t going to last. I want to start investing in heaven. I want to invest in these godly funds. I want to use my money the way you want me to use it. Today I commit to using my money to grow my character and grow in spiritual strength, wisdom, and knowledge and become all that you want me to be. Help me to see ways that I can use what you have given to me to strengthen relationships and show love to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to invest in eternity by using my money to serve others. I want to learn to be generous. I want to be a blessing to others. And I want to use my money to bring people to you. I want people to be in heaven because I gave. I want to spread the Gospel through my acts of service. And Father, I want to show where my treasure is by investing in eternity through my gifts and offerings to you. I want to honor you by giving you the first part of all my income. I want to give up any lust for money so that you, God Almighty, will become my treasure. Help me to remember that I’m not a fool to give up what I cannot keep to gain what I cannot lose. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”