Treasures on Earth and In Heaven

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB1995)

Treasures on Earth

What is a treasure? It can be wealth (riches). Or it can be possessions of any kind. Or it can be treasured thoughts stored up in the heart and mind. It can be anything which we value, which we consider a prize or a treasure. It could even be a sinful habit that someone treasures above all else and will not relinquish. So a treasure stored can be anything we hold on to that is unnecessary for us to possess, or it can be things which are evil in nature.

Now, if it is something sinful, like a sinful habit, or pride, envy, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, and the like, it is obvious that these are things we should not treasure (hold on to), but they are things we should cut out of our lives. But physical possessions are things that we use every day such as shoes, clothing, coats, towels, wash cloths, sheets, blankets, dishes, pots and pans, cups, plates, and the like. So how much to keep of these?

A couple of weeks ago I sensed the Lord leading me to go through my shoes and clothing, which are not in a large number by American standards, and to give away all that I don’t really need or that I am not using but is just being stored for future use. And he had me donate to charity a good number of items of clothing, shoes, sweaters, hangers, socks, and other items I don’t need and that I am just storing and not presently using. And that was good.

So, how much is too much, or what to keep or not to keep, is something we must determine between us and God. And then where it should go has to be between us and the Lord. For if we don’t need it, and someone else can use it, then it should go someplace where they will give it away or will not charge a large fee for something they received free of charge. Like I said, if it is something sinful, it has to go, no doubt! Otherwise, we pray for wisdom.

Treasures in Heaven

And we are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, for where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. So, what should that look like? Well, first of all we must believe in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives. And that involves us dying with him to sin and us being raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as servants of righteousness in obedience to our Lord’s commands.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18] 

And then we follow our Lord wherever he leads us in ministry, in doing what he has called us to do, in going where he sends us, and saying what he gives us to say, as his servants and messengers. We commit our lives to him to doing his will, which involves us giving of ourselves and our time and our resources to ministering to the needs of others, which can be physical needs, emotional needs, and/or spiritual needs. And we share with them the gospel.

[Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20]

Obviously, if we are married, this has to be worked out between the two people married to each other. But doing the will of God, and obeying his Word, should always be at the forefront. We should never submit to anything sinful, impure, or against the teachings of the Scriptures, taught in the correct biblical context. Any changes of location (moves) my husband and I made, we made in agreement with one another. Same with our giving. 

The most important thing here for us is that we remain in the center of God’s will, doing what he has called all of us to do, obeying his commands, forsaking our sins, and doing what pleases the Lord. We need to have our ears tuned in to hearing his voice so that we follow his leading in everything. And if he says, “You don’t need that, give it away,” then that is what we must do. But make sure it is his voice speaking, and then obey the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord Always!  

Based off Phil. 4 & Col. 3

An Original Work / January 26, 2013

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Rejoice in our Lord God always.

I say again: “Rejoice always!”

Let your love and kindness show forth.

Our Lord Christ will soon appear.

Do not let yourself be troubled.

Do not fear your circumstances.

In all of life’s complications,

Pray to God with thankfulness.

God will give you peace and rest.

Set your minds on things of heaven:

What is true and right and lovely.

Do not focus your attention

On the things that pass away.

Therefore put to death your old self.

Clothe yourselves with God’s compassion.

Put the word of Christ in practice.

Let God’s peace rule in your hearts.

Sing songs of praise unto God.

In all of life’s circumstances

I’ll learn to trust; be contented.

Whether I have none or plenty,

I will give thanks unto God.

I can live my life to please Him,

Because Jesus gives me His strength.

My God will meet all of my needs,

From his treasure chest in Christ.

Glory, praise be unto God.

https://vimeo.com/117317580

Treasures on Earth and In Heaven

An Original Work / March 31, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love