¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

What investment here in this fallen world is worth our effort in stocking up our treasure? Normally when you are trying to grow wealth, you are looking for an investment that is secure (won’t loose value), that will not be corrupt (won’t get stolen) and ultimately will increase in value. The problem is, there is wealth here, but not true wealth like Jesus is talking about in this verse.

Our treasures here on earth are all corruptible, they will all be nothing one day. Think about that collection of books, they break down and fall apart, they tear and burn. Think gold or silver, that can be stolen when thieves take it from us. Even Bitcoin has no real value, it’s a yo-yo going up and down based upon how popular it is from day to day. Stocks and bonds are investments, but you are trusting the companies are run well, because when they are not, the value depreciates. Even government bonds mean nothing, it’s just trust that the government spends money well.

Jesus is talking about real investments, that is stocking up heaven. But my friend, what can you take to heaven when you die? This thought reminds me of the great pharaohs of Egypt who were buried with gold and treasure, but the treasure remained as they traveled to the eternal. What are the real investments of heaven?

Each soul that follows Christ is a treasure in His Eternal Kingdom. Our focus here on earth is not on things, but on people. Though, we can’t force people to become Christians, (It’s been tried, doesn’t work, See Holy Roman Empire), we can present the gospel to them. Our treasures need to be the souls we interact with, that God saves from the eternal damnation they deserve. We need to pray for people we know.

Where are your treasures, here is a favorite quote of mine dealing with this subject:

He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he cannot loose.

Jim Elliot

We can’t keep anything here on this earth, not even our lives. We are all going to die, and when we die we take nothing with us to the eternal. The short time we spend here in this fallen world, we can gain wealth, but it doesn’t transfer to the eternal. But how can we be rewarded? Be completely surrendered to God’s will for our lives. To trust he will lead our paths, and direct us to the eternal abundance he promises here.

Lord, let me trust that you will put me where I’m needed, and give me words to speak, and deeds to perform, that all might be done for the glory of You Alone and Your Eternal Kingdom.