Forever Treasure

In Matthew 6:19-21 we read some words that are familiar to many of you:  19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

The traditional application of this verse has to do with giving of money and material resources.  I think this is a very good application.  When we give our money (which is very precious to us) to God’s work, we are sending our treasure on ahead.  But I think there is something else being hinted at here.  I believe that the word “treasures” can be a synonym for the word “reward”.  The word translated “treasures” means “something of value”.  I think a reward is something of value just like money and the rewards that Jesus has in mind for God to give us is not a monetary reward.

So, if we can think of it this way, Jesus is telling us not to live our lives for earthly rewards which can be destroyed on earth and which are only temporary.  Rather, Jesus is telling us to lay up our rewards in heaven, being rewarded by God and not by men.  Finally, this seems to fit with verse 21.  “Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also”.  Heavenly rewards are indicative of a heart and mind turned and tuned toward the things of God.  Earthly rewards would indicate a heart attachment to this world and the things of it.

Where is your treasure being deposited?