STORING TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Kyle Laws
Today’s Scripture: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21, ESV
Theme: What are you putting more effort into – your financial well-being or your spiritual well-being?
THROWN INTO THE OVEN
Do you have a favorite chapter in the Bible? My six-year-old son’s favorite chapter is Matthew 6; it is almost the only chapter he enjoys reading. His reasoning is that it is all Jesus speaking. My son and I have profound conversations before bed, where he asks questions about life and how the world works. A couple of nights ago he said, “Dad, I don’t like how every moment is thrown into the oven, never to be seen again.” I was flabbergasted at such a statement, but I asked him, “Where did you hear that?” He responded, “Matthew, Chapter 6, Dad!” He was referring to when Jesus says, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith” (Matthew 6:30, ESV). Then my son said, “Every word I speak is thrown into the oven.” I replied, “That’s good insight, buddy, but doesn’t that make you want to be more aware of how you’re spending your time? Doesn’t that make you want to treat everyone with kindness when you realize how little time we have here in this world?” His next statement melted my heart, “I’m so glad I have you to teach me about Jesus, Dad.” It’s amazing how kids can be so wise and sincere.
TEMPORARY TREASURE
How are you spending your moments? Are you spending your time on things that will be thrown into the oven? Chasing money, your career, worldly pleasures, or something else of this world that is fleeting? Or is it something like family, relationships, or loving others? Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19, ESV). What of this world will not eventually disappear? Your thoughts, emotions, your career, and even your body are all temporary.
HEAVENLY TREASURE
In the next verse, Jesus says, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20, ESV). What are our heavenly treasures, or what can we lay up here that will not fade away? Building relationships, patience, kindness, faith, hope, joy, love, sharing the Gospel with others, and meeting those people in heaven! These may seem like temporal actions, but these all have eternal consequences. Being aware that frivolous things are not laying up treasures in heaven, and prioritizing the eternal can help us focus on our future home in heaven.
KNOW JESUS, KNOW PEACE
Jesus knew this was not His home, He knew we would all meet again in heaven, and He knew that loving others here would have an everlasting effect on all of us. I saw a sign the other day that said, “Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.” If we are consistently carnal-minded, we will never know Jesus’ peace because we are constantly desiring worldly pursuits. Once we obtain what we desire, we may find some solace for a brief period, but the problem with worldly desires is they can never be truly fulfilling. If we seek Jesus, seek to know who He is, and seek to know ourselves in Jesus, we can grow in peace, patience, and love - because Jesus is peace, patience, and love.
Make It Personal: What are you investing your time and effort into? Are there any earthly treasures that have distracted you from seeking God first? Our priorities shape who we are. It’s not just about money or material things - it’s about what we truly value. If we pour our time, energy, and love into relationships, growing spiritually, or things that matter to God, those actions reveal our heart. It’s a reminder to check what we are investing in; whatever we treasure most is where our heart and mind will follow. When we treasure God, His Word, and His will, we become more aware of what truly matters, and our lives become an overflow of joy and peace that we cannot help but extend to others.
Pray: Lord, help us to treasure You above all else in this temporary world. Help us recognize when we place too much value on things that will fade. We want our priorities to reflect Your will and Your kingdom. Show us how to invest our time and energy in things that have eternal value. Lord, reveal to us who You are, who we are in You, and let us seek to follow You. Guide our words, thoughts, and actions, Lord, as we surrender our hearts to You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Matthew 6
Weekly Memory Verse: “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10, NLT