What and Where is Your Treasure?

Thank you for joining us for our teaching. The Lord gave us clear instruction in His Word, what things we should treasure. That will be our topic today. Prayerfully the teaching will encourage and strengthen you in your walk with the Lord. That is always our goal, to build you up in the knowledge of the Lord. Eric

If you had to suddenly leave your residence and your treasures were stored there, what things would you take with you? Would you take money, jewels or art work? Would you choose something having monetary value or sentimental value?

What are the things you treasure or are most important in your life? Why do you suppose I would ask you this question?

The Scriptures very clearly teach us a very important truth concerning the things we treasure most. As we examine the Word of God, we will realize that we can break down our treasures into one of two categories. We have 'worldly' or 'spiritual' treasures.

A 'treasure' refers to valuable items, often in the form of money, jewels or precious metals, that are securely stored. It can also mean something cherished or highly valued, like memories or personal possessions." (Cambridge University Press and Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Scripturally, 'treasure' means: "collected treasures or stored up treasure - a receptacle for valuables including thoughts stored in the heart and minds." (HELPS Word-studies). Jesus taught us the difference between worldly and spiritual treasures and why it is vital for us to recognize the significance of that difference.

We are going to begin our study by looking at the words Jesus spoke to the disciples in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 'Store up' thesaurizo in the Greek, according to HELPS Word-studies means: to put away, accumulate and store up. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to gather and to heap up. These verses distinguish clearly the differences between worldly or earthly treasure and heavenly treasure. The earthly treasures in Jesus' day would be grain, sheep, garments and precious metals. Today those treasures could be homes, cars, jewelry, education, money or any number of things. Jesus told the disciples that earthly treasures are uncertain, temporal, vulnerable to natural decay and could be stolen. Heavenly treasure has an enduring nature, is eternal and is located where thieves do not break in and steal. Basically the difference relates to stockpiling our earthly treasure where it will decay and will one day be gone or laying up imperishable treasure with God.

The heart of the issue regarding our 'treasures' is revealed in verse 21. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Our 'heart' includes our emotions, desires and will. Where we invest our resources reveals our true priorities and affections. Our priorities are tied to what we value most.

Jesus was telling us, as his disciples, that our focus needs to be on spiritual wealth. Where we invest our resources reveals our true priorities and affections. What we treasure will ultimately shape our character and actions. If earthly possessions are our treasures, our hearts will be tied to temporal things. 1 Timothy 6:9 and 10 reveals that the love of money is the root of all evil. Wealth can pose a spiritual challenge as it may lead us to self-reliance and a diminished sense of need for God. Thus, wealth can be a hinderance to entering the kingdom of God. (On a side note - be aware, "Jesus does not prohibit material possessions nor the enjoyment of material things, but He does forbid selfish and extravagant materialism that ties a person to this earth."). (Textual notes NSFLB). In prophetic literature, storing up or hoarding riches frequently signify arrogance and impending judgment.

Our heart should align with God's eternal practices. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, as we are eternal beings, and are merely passing through this world. (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Thus, we are to lay aside resources for the welfare of others and lay aside ungodly hoarding for a selfish accumulation of riches that ignores God and our neighbors.

Mark 12:30 teaches us that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind and all of our strength. We should, above all else, desire to know and love Him intimately. We need to have a deep, sincere, undivided affection and commitment to Him. Through that, we are to use our energy, abilities and possessions to serve and honor Him. (1 John 2:17). Doing the will of God involves being obedient to His commandments and living a life that reflects His character. Only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven.

We receive a warning and the instructions we need in how to lay up heavenly treasures in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." "The phrases to 'set your mind on things above and to 'strive for' calls believers to focus their thoughts and desires on heavenly realities rather than earthly distractions." (Bible Hub Study Bible). 'Strive' means: to search, seek after, seek for, aim at and desire. 'Things above' refers to spiritual values and priorities that reflect God's kingdom. We are to align our thoughts and actions with our heavenly citizenship and with heavenly values.

I repeat: Do not be proud. Do not put your hope in wealth. Hope in God! Do good, be rich in good deeds! Be generous and willing to share! In this way we lay up heavenly treasures for ourselves!

As believers, our motivation for all we do (decisions, actions and behaviors) should stem from our relationship with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:18 instructs, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." We need to keep our focus on spiritual realities rather than physical appearances. The unseen includes the presence of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, our hope of eternal life and the kingdom of God.

We are exhorted to not allow ourselves to be attached to the world or anything in the world, because all that is in the world is not from the Father and is temporary and passing away. In fact, verse 15 bluntly states, "if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15-17). You see then, according to the Word of God, if you are consumed with earthly desires, you lack a genuine relationship with God.

To seek the treasure that is eternal, we need only look in one place - God's Word!

1). Psalm 19:7-11, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward." God's instructions and commands are flawless, complete and fully sufficient for guiding your life. God's truth is reliable, faithful, permanent and dependable

2). Proverbs 8:10,11, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Nothing compares to the wisdom of the Word of God!

3). Psalm 119:36 reads, "Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain." We see a plea for divine intervention and help. - Do not be afraid to ask the Lord, "Turn my heart toward you, toward your Word, and Your treasures and not to worldly gain."

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are to seek a greater knowledge of God through Christ. " (Colossians 2:2 and 3, "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Hebrews 12:1b-2 (ESV), "let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." 'Looking' aphorao, means to look away from all else at one object, to fix one's eyes upon and to consider attentively. "This rare verb portrays an intentional, selective gaze. It combines the ideas of 1). turning one's eyes away from competing sights and 2). fastening attention on a single object or outcome." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).

At this point, I will share some poignant quotes to end our post today.

"Earthly currency has an expiration date. Power, prestige and public approval are limited and can be gone in an instant. The moment we take our last breath, earthly treasure won't matter anymore." (It will be meaningless (mine)). Jesus urged us to think beyond that last breath to eternity." (gotquestions.org).

Ecclesiastes 5:10, "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth (an overwhelming mass) is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless."

"We cannot too often turn our thoughts heavenward, for this is one of the great cures for worldliness. The way to liberate our souls from the bonds that tie us to earth is to strengthen the cords that bind us to heaven." (CH Spurgeon).

Hallelujah! Help us Lord, to be ever mindful of the snares of riches and choose always to keep our thoughts and hearts turned toward You and Your heavenly treasures!

Unless noted otherwise all Scripture is taken from the New International Version.

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible

ESV English Standard Version