(by Pastor Jean)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-21; NKJV). Earthly treasures, meaning our worldly goods and possessions do not last forever; they break and deteriorate with age; however, eternal treasures last forever and never wear out. In other words, there is nothing more important than Jesus! We get more understanding of these verses if we read Luke 12:33; NLT, “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up for you treasure in heaven.” (See also Matt 19:21). When Paul was counselling Timothy, he told him the way to lay up earthly treasures was by giving and doing good works (1 Tim 6:17-19). We read an interesting verse in Matt 13:52 where the word “treasure” appears again, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple of the King of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure new things and old” (NIV). This implies that the kingdom of heaven is our treasure which includes both Old and New Testament truths. In summary, we are not to make money and “stuff” more important than our relationship with God and we certainly shouldn’t put our trust in those things. Instead, we should be looking for opportunities to bless others. Most importantly, we lay up eternal treasures by spending time with God and in His word.