13 The command to “Store Treasure in Heaven”
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT)
An outward sign of faith is demonstrated through humility. Nice cars, boats, planes, big houses, designer clothes, name-brand shoes, fancy vacations, high-priced cellphones, Ultra 4k HD TV’s, and overflowing storage units are sure outward signs of material wealth – but at what cost? Are these real rewards for our hard labor?
It is not a sin to make a good living and have lots of expensive stuff. However, it will make your faith journey harder. (See the story of Jesus and the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19:16–30, Mark 10:17–31 and Luke 18:18–30) If you are using your resources, your talents, in full knowledge that “God owns them all!” and your using it for His glory, I believe you are storing up treasure in Heaven.
Jesus is telling us not to buy into the wealth and attraction of this temporary, carnal world, but to set our hearts, minds, and soul on the real, eternal treasure of Heaven. In order to develop our faith we must believe in the unseen and doubt the seen. We cannot put our trust in comforts provided by our money and position. Jesus is our only hope!