19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
Jesus is drawing the disciples’ attention to the fact that there is more to life than the accumulation of riches. He’s trying to get them to understand the eternal perspective, rather than focus all their resources on something that will only last during this life.
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Riches aren’t just the money in people’s bank accounts, but it’s also the accumulation of stuff. In Roman times, cloth for making clothes was hand-made from wool or linen, and so was very precious. If moths got to it, then it would be worthless. Material possessions may appear durable and lasting, but they are subject to decay and loss to the owner. The collector car might be nice now, but will be recycled into a trashcan in 50 or 100 years.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven
Jesus tells us to store up our treasure in heaven. It’s obvious that in terms of the wealth and stuff that you accumulate on earth, you take none of it with you into eternity. But as Randy Alcorn has said: “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” We have a heavenly safety-deposit box that’s more secure than the ones in the bank, and we only have the limited number of days in our lives on earth to make deposits.
So, How Do We Store Up Treasures in Heaven?
We Need a New Heart
There’s no way that the natural man is going to value the things of heaven, because he cannot see, hear, smell, taste or feel heaven right now. The natural responds to the natural. (John 3:12). We were born into sin and cannot love or seek after God of our own accord due to our hardened heart (See Rom 3:11). In order to desire the things of heaven, we must first be born again. (John 3:7). And with this transformed heart, we begin a relationship with God through Jesus His son, and as we begin to walk with Him, placing our faith in Him day-by-day, we see that to value the things of God’s Kingdom. We begin, as Colossians 3:2 says, to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Help the Poor and Those Persons who are in Need
Probably the most consistent instructions in the Bible about storing up treasures in heaven is to help the poor and needy. Proverbs 19:17 says Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. God has always commanded His people to take care of the poor and needy (Deut 15:7). There will always be needy people around us, and therefore always opportunities to do good. Deuteronomy 15:11 11 For the poor will not cease to exist in the land; therefore I am commanding you, saying, ‘You shall fully open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’ God considers doing good and sharing with others as He does a sacrifice: Hebrews 13:16 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Prioritize God, not Worldly Pursuits
We have a limited amount of time on this earth. Our first priority is our personal relationship with Jesus. As we “seek first the Kingdom of God”, then we’re going to find that as Colossians 3:1-4 3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. If our life is really hidden with Christ—if we have His eternal perspective, then we’re not going to spend our lives seeking all these things on earth. And we will find that the meaning of our lives, the passion of our lives will not be lost when we die, but will continue with us, and be fulfilled and rewarded in heaven.
Don’t let the “stuff” get in the way
When we were looking at the Parable of the sower, we considered the 4 types of soil, we looked at Mark 7: 7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Crowded hearts, full of distraction can cause a lack of harvest in our lives, and distract us from the path that God has for us. In Mark 7:19 Jesus notes that for these hearts, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. When we allow threats to our spiritual walk to enter in from the outside, it will choke the word within us, and prevent a harvest. And, one of the prime examples that Jesus uses as something that can distract us from God’s path and choke the word is the deceitfulness of riches.
Deceitfulness of riches
One of the lies that we tell ourselves is that if we only had more money, it would make our life in Christ easier. And logically this may make sense since it seems like we’d have less distractions, right? But what usually happens is that riches make a Christian walk harder. In Mathew 19:24 Jesus said Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Does it SOUND like an easy task for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? In fact, it’s not only a difficult task, Jesus says that But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matt 19:26. So Jesus is telling us that riches make it more difficult, not less difficult to run our race.
Riches give us a false sense of security. When we’re supposed to be asking God to Give us each day our daily bread, we want to store up grain, then we start relying on ourselves instead of God. Trusting in riches is a problem.
Desires for other things
Desires for other things. Desires for other things besides the Kingdom of God, besides doing God’s will. Have you ever asked yourself WHY you want something that you want? When we possess our possessions, well o.k., but when our possessions start to possess us, then there’s a problem in priority. Then, our possessions become distractions and idols. The classic Biblical example of this is in Matthew 19:16-22 (the Rich Young Ruler).
where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
Trust the Promises of God and Do Not Be Anxious
Remember the words of the Apostle Paul. He knew how to follow God closely, whether he was blessed and abounding, or whether he had nothing, not even enough to eat. He said to those who are rich “not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). That which is truly life is found in Christ alone who gives everlasting life (1 John 5:11). At the end of the day, riches are uncertain, but God provides eternal security.
So what is the answer?
Remove encumbrances
The author of Hebrews urges us: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Change our perspective
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We need to let God change our perspective. As the author of Hebrews has said in chapter 12 v2-4, we’re 2 looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As we look to Him, everything else will be put in it’s proper perspective.