Matthew 6:19–24 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Luke 2:19 (NIV)

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

I didn’t have a great relationship with one of my grandfathers. He was a gruff, harsh man who was extremely difficult to understand, except his continuous use of the phrase “Godd*mnit”, which he somehow incorporated into every sentence. We never really talked or hung out. When we would go to their house, he would spend most of his time in the garage building things out of wood, using recycled nails and screws that he stored in old tin cans. One year for my birthday he gave me a gift, the only gift that he ever gave me. It was a handmade wooden box with a wooden squirrel on top, the interior lined with brown felt, and a lock to keep anything inside secure. It was a treasure box, and it stored all of my childhood treasures. A Walter Payton football card, a token from the local arcade, a Hot Wheels car, a Tasmanian Devil Happy Meal toy, etc. As I got older, the treasures changed but the box remained: A love note from a girl folded into a triangle, ticket stubs from a Depeche Mode concert, my boutonniere and bow tie from prom, etc. I realize now looking back that what was inside the box wasn’t nearly as treasured as the box itself. It was the one point of connection with my grandfather. It was the only way he ever told me that he loved me.

It is where your treasure is that your heart will be.

It isn’t just your treasure that shows what you value, but where you store that treasure that reveals your heart. So, where do you keep your treasure?

My treasures have changed through the years. As I write this, I can look around and see many treasures around me. My first Bible that reminds me of the struggle with doubt and the power of faith. A Moses doll from Prince of Egypt that reminds me of my salvation. A painting of the kids from when we started the church that reminds me of the sacrifice we make as a family for the Kingdom of God. A silver shekel identical to the ones Judas would have been given to remind me to stay faithful to Jesus. The first painting I purchased from Aeron Brown that reminds me to be a Barnabas and invest in others. A wedding photo of Cory and me that reminds me the one treasure that I get to take with me to heaven is the gift of love. All of these treasures sit in my office where I prepare my messages each week, in order to remind me that this world is not my home. Each treasure is just a physical token that represents the true treasure I have stored up and awaiting me in heaven.

Your Turn:

This invitation tends to be very confusing. The first step isn’t too hard to understand – don’t store up treasures on earth. It’s easy to understand but hard to do. We live in a culture that celebrates storing up treasures on earth. “The one with the most toys when they die wins.”

You don’t need to have everything that you want. Don’t try to stop your wanting, that would be pointless. Just don’t always give in to your wants.

• This week, try not to buy anything. Make do with what you already have. Cook the food sitting in your pantry or freezer. Definitely stay off of Amazon and away from stores.

The second step is a bit more complex. How do I, practically speaking, store up treasure in heaven?

We already learned from the verses preceding this portion of the Sermon on the Mount that we receive rewards from God when we give to others, when we pray in secret, and when we fast without seeking reward or adulation from others.

• Take the money you would have spent this week on coffee or food and give it to the needy.

• Take the time you would have spent this week shopping and spend it with God in prayer.

• In all of these things that you do, be sure to do it out of a heart for God and His Kingdom, not out of a desire to look like a good Christian to others.