Do you collect treasures? Maybe you collect seashells, or you have a collection of Royal Albert china, or fine art. You might even treasure your bank account or position on the corporate ladder. The Bible labels these as earthly treasures. Have you considered collecting heavenly treasures? If so, then I am going to show you, through Scripture, what some of the treasures in heaven are, so you can safely store your treasures there.
Our main Scripture reference is Matthew 6:19-21. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Two Treasures to Consider
If you are a new Christian, you may find this verse intimidating. It may even be intimidating for a believer who has been serving the Lord for some time. It doesn’t have to be, so let’s quickly examine earthly treasures before turning our attention to heavenly treasures. The two types of treasures Jesus mentioned are earthly treasures and heavenly treasures.
The earthly treasures are the idols of the heart. These are things that are put ahead of Him. Things that are a distraction from worshipping and serving Him, and giving Him priority.
To clarify, this doesn’t mean that the odd time when you rushed into your day without spending time with Him is an earthly treasure. It means that when believers habitually ignore Jesus, day after day, week in, week out, placing their value on earthly things above Him. These earthly treasures will be moth-eaten and destroyed by rust.
If you think about that carefully, what is He really saying about earthly treasures? I interpret that as the things that you treasure here on earth pale in comparison to the treasures in heaven. We can also see plainly that He desires that we do not store up treasures on earth, but rather seek after the heavenly treasures.
Can You Enjoy Earthly Possessions?
Does this mean that you cannot have a china collection or a seashell collection? Or jewelry or art? Or even money in the bank?
No, it does not mean that. God knows that you need money for financial transactions. And He knows you enjoy earthly things. But the point is that you don’t place such a high value on these things that you exclude God from your everyday life. Instead, He wants you to store up your treasures in heaven.
Jesus explains this in Matthew 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
It’s plain to see that you cannot serve two masters. Read the verse again to see why that is. Now you have a choice to make: will you become a slave to things or choose to follow after God with all you’ve got?
When you have made your decision to serve God above all else, then the enjoyment of your earthly treasures will pale. You may even find that though you enjoy them, you are not coveting them, nor do you fret over them if something happened to them.
In other words, their value has lessened while you are growing your heavenly treasures.
Treasures in Heaven: Giving to the Poor and Needy
Good news! Jesus said it is His Father’s will that you have the kingdom!
But first, you must sell what you have and give to the poor.
What?!? Did He really say this, or am I making this up?
Here are Jesus’ words in Luke 12:32-33, 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Okay, does this apply to you today? Does He mean that you should sell your home and possessions to give everything away?
Don’t list your home just yet! It’s okay to own a home and possessions. You need these things, but do not accumulate them for the purpose of having “stuff” that is a distraction from serving God wholeheartedly.
What Jesus wants is for you and me to be generous with the money and things we have and distribute them to those in need.
Unless, of course, He has called you to live in poverty, then you must obey. However, if you have been blessed with finances, then He wants you to be generous in giving to others as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Blessings in the Giving
So, how does giving away your possessions and money lay up treasures in heaven?
- By being God-focused.
- Being a blessing to others.
- Not expecting to be repaid.
Yes, you read that right. Don’t give with strings attached.
Jesus reminds us of this in Luke 14:12-14, 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Have you given anything away that you did not expect to receive repayment for? Or given away cash with no strings attached? That’s what this verse is talking about. No strings attached. You will be repaid by Jesus when the time is right.
Seeking Treasures in Heaven
So, in addition to being a blessing to others, do you think there are any other treasures in heaven? Have you ever given it any thought?
Let me help you with the answer. Come with me as we dig deeper together to find out what other heavenly treasures there might be. The Holy Spirit impressed these verses on me.
I was studying 1 John 1, and as I pondered 1 John 4:4, I wondered, what would make our joy full? What was John writing about?
The verses in context are 1 John 4:3-5,
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
As I focused on what John was writing about, it began to dawn on me. He said our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son. That is a clue!
Fellowship with the Father and Son must be part of the joy. It must be one of the treasures we are seeking!
Set Your Affection on Things Above
Okay, quickly flip the pages over to Colossians 3:1-4,
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
What are we seeking from above? What are we setting our affection on from above? We are seeking heavenly treasures, not things that belong to the earth, as Jesus stated in Matthew 6:19-21.
Store Up These 8 Treasures in Heaven
I would like to propose to you that your joy is full when you seek the following things that become treasures in heaven. These treasures are in addition to distributing earthly possessions to those in need. Recent reader comments suggested that another treasure be added to the list. You’ll see it as #8.
Let’s see what these treasures are:
1 ~ a love for the Word of God
Psalm 119:11, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Proverbs 7:1, My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Psalm 119:162, I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
2 ~ a desire to follow Jesus
Matthew 19:21, Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
3 ~ an intimate relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Colossians 2:1-3, That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1 John 1:3-4, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
4 ~ seek after the kingdom of God
Matthew 6:31-33, 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
5 ~ strive to live a life that is holy and blameless, without spot or wrinkle
2 Peter 3:13-15, 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
6 ~ run after the high calling of God
Philippians 3:10-16, 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
7 ~ be rich in good works
1 Timothy 6:17-19, 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
8 ~ share the gospel with others
And while this one may be mentioned last in this list, it is by no means the last in line. Jesus gave His disciples the great commission in Mark 16:15, And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 28:19-20, Go ye, therefore, and teach all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. This is our first treasure in heaven when we win souls for Christ!
Summary of the 8 Treasures in Heaven Revealed
Let me quickly summarize these heavenly treasures for you.
- a love for the Word of God
- a desire to follow Jesus
- develop an intimate relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- seek after the kingdom of God
- strive to live a life that is holy and blameless, without spot or wrinkle
- run after the high calling of God
- be rich in good works
- share the gospel of Christ
So, there you go, eight treasures in heaven that make your joy full. Plus, of course, being generous with the earthly possessions entrusted to you.
What other treasures can you think of that would add to this heavenly treasure chest to make your joy full?
In Him We Live,
~ Cindy
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