Treasure in Heaven

Q: What does the Bible say about laying up treasures in heaven?

The Bible teaches that we should store treasures in heaven, as earthly treasures are temporary and corruptible. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus instructs us not to lay up treasures on earth where they can be corrupted or stolen. Instead, we are called to lay up treasures in heaven, where they are eternal. This emphasizes the idea that our true security and value should not be found in material possessions, but in our relationship with Christ. Proverbs also reminds us of the importance of wise stewardship, indicating that saving responsibly for future needs is not contrary to faith but rather part of honoring God with our resources. Thus, our focus should be on spiritual riches rather than worldly wealth.

Q: How do we know that seeking the kingdom of God is important?

Seeking the kingdom of God is paramount because it aligns our lives with God's purposes and priorities. In Luke 12:31, Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, promising that all our needs shall be provided. Prioritizing the kingdom of God ensures that our everyday decisions and actions reflect His will rather than being consumed by worldly concerns. This is crucial for Christians as it shapes our identity and purpose. Rather than being anxious about material needs, we are reminded that God, who knows our needs, is our ultimate provider. This reliance enhances our faith and encourages us to live lives that reflect our citizenship in heaven.

Q: Why is being content with what we have important for Christians?

Contentment is essential for Christians because it reflects trust in God's provision and our identity in Christ. Philippians 4:11-13 teaches us that true contentment comes from understanding our identity in Christ and recognizing that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, we see that godliness with contentment is great gain because it frees us from the harmful desires that accompany the love of money. When we are satisfied with what we have, we are less likely to chase after fleeting earthly treasures and more likely to focus on spiritual growth and the glory of Christ. It acknowledges that our greatest treasure lies in our relationship with Jesus, not in material possessions.

Matthew 6. Verse 19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust is corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust is corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Treasure in heaven. Now, when the Lord says, lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where most and rust is corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, is this a prohibition against a savings account, or a 401k, or saving for retirement? Some people have looked at it that way, but that's not what it is. We know that from other scriptures. Verify this, turn to Proverbs chapter six.

Verse six. Go to the ant, thou sluggard, Consider her ways and be wise, which having no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 21. There is, verse 20, there is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise man. He's taking care of this, but a foolish man spendeth it up. Proverbs 27, verse 23.

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds, don't have any irresponsible attitude, for riches are not forever. And doth the crown endure to every generation? Thy hay appeareth, and the tender grass showeth itself, the herbs of the mountain are gathered. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field, and thou shalt have goat's milk enough for thy food, and for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maintenance.

When Joseph was saving vast stores of grain during the time of plenty, was he wrong? Of course not. He was doing what God commanded him to do for that time of famine. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12, 14, the children ought not lay up. That means save. The children ought not save for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I love what Paul said, if any provide not for his own, especially they of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

That's what God the Holy Spirit says through the pen of Paul. If I don't take measures for when I'm old and unable to work, that's not an act of faith. Well, I'm just gonna trust God to take care of me. He will take care of us. We trust in saving for retirement, we're trusting him to take care of us, aren't we? It's not like that's contrary to trusting him. And somebody says, I'm just gonna spend it all now and trust the Lord to take care of me.

Because of my responsibility, irresponsibility and childishness, all I am, is being a burden on others who will have to take care of me because I have been so childish and irresponsible. When I do that, now, that being said, this is certainly against hoarding riches. Hoarding riches. When I do that, my actions say that riches are my treasure, and not Christ.

So let's go to Luke's account of this passage of scripture. There's something that happens before it, and we're gonna come back to Matthew 6, but turn with me to Luke chapter 12. Verse 13. And one of the company said unto him, Master, Speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me. I wonder how many times that's happened over the years. Well, all kinds of conflict comes up when it's inheritance time. Somebody thinks they're not being treated fairly. Speak to my brother, get this straightened out. This is not right.

And look at the way the Lord answers him. He said unto me, man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, These people who are listening, take heed and beware. Now, look, the Lord gives us a double warning. Take heed and beware of covetousness.

For man's life consists not in the abundance of things which he possesses. Covetousness. Now hold your finger there and turn to 1 Timothy chapter six. Verse three, if any man teach otherwise, consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he's proud knowing nothing. But doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy and strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, Supposing that gain is godliness. The more you have, the more indicative it is that the Lord's blessing is on you. Gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself, but godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world. And it's certain we can carry nothing out.

I love what that one man said about the man who died. He said, what did he leave? Everything. Everything. And having food and raiment, let us be there with content, satisfied. Now, I'd have no doubt that the main application of this is Christ as my food. and Christ as my clothing. What else is there to want? Be satisfied, be content, don't be looking for anything else. Don't be stretching out for something else, you already have everything. Now we ought to be content with food and clothing, I realize that. And we are. I'm happy with what the Lord gives me. But, verse nine.

They that will be rich, that's their desire, that's their goal, to be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition, for the love of money is the root of all evil. I didn't say money's the root of all evil. There's a lot of rich men in the scriptures, and there's nothing wrong with being rich. Abraham was rich. David was rich. Job was rich. The richest man in the East. Solomon was rich. There are a lot of men that the Lord's hand was on who had great riches.

He doesn't say money is the root of all evil. He said the love of money. is the root of all evil, literally covetousness. The love of money is the root of all evil. Now back to our text in Luke chapter 12, I love what he says in verse 15. He said unto them, take heed and beware of covetousness for a man's life consists not in the abundance of things which he possesses, And he spake a parable unto them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.

That's a good thing, isn't it? And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do? Because I have no room where to bestow my fruits. I need more room. I'm making so much. He said, this will I do. I'll pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and all my goods. And I'll say to my soul, soul, thou hast much good laid up for many years. Take thy knees. eat, drink, and be merry. You're in good shape. But God said unto him, Fool, this night shall be required thy soul shall be required of thee.

Then who shall those things be which thou hast provided, so is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." This man could care less about God. He cared about his riches. And we would have commended him for what he did. That's good business sense to tear down your barns build others. But this man had no thought of God in what he was doing. He was just trying to make sure he was secure. Now look what the Lord says with regard to this, verse 22.

And he said unto his disciples, therefore I say unto you, take no thought. Take no thought. Don't be anxious. Don't worry about anything. Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, neither for the body, what you shall put on. Don't worry about a thing. Now, understand this. Worry is sin. It's not trusting the Lord. Whenever I worry, I'm sinning against him. I do a lot of worrying, and I shouldn't. Don't be anxious about anything.

Verse 23, life is more, the life. I love that definite article in front of that, the life. The life of God in your soul, eternal life. The life is more than meat and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens. For they neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you better than the fowls?

And which of you, by taking thought, by worrying, by being anxious, can add one, add to his stature one cubit, that means add to your life one minute? There's not one thing we can do. to add one minute to our life. It's all been decreed by God the moment of our death. How will death, how death will be in every day in between then.

What's the point in worrying? Our worry doesn't change anything. The fact of the matter is we do not have any control over anything. Somebody says, only worry about what you can control. Well, that's nothing. That's nothing. We have no control over anything. The Lord God has all control over everything. Worrying is an exercise in futility. God is in control.

Verse 26. If you then be not able to do that which is least, that's a blessed revelation when you felt, I can't do what's least. I mean, I can't. That would summarize me. I cannot do that which is least. With that being the case, why take ye thought for the rest? It's utterly unreasonable. Verse 27, consider the lilies, how they grow. They toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you that Solomon, all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothed the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow it's cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?

Little faith is better than no faith. I'm thankful for little faith. But little faith ought to be great faith, shouldn't it? We have a great object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have a great God. Little faith saves just as truly as great faith because it's not the faith that saves, it's the object of the faith that saves. But every one of us ought to be saying, Lord, increase my faith. Increase it. The apostles asked for that in Luke 17, 15 or 5. Lord, increase our faith. Verse 29. And seek not ye what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, or neither be of a doubtful, anxious, worrying mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after. That's all they care about.

Your father knoweth that you have need of these things. He knows what you need. You don't know what you need, but he does. But rather, verse 31, seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock, for it's your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. That's his good pleasure. He's gonna give it to you.

He promises. What's there to worry about? Well, I'm little, that's who makes the promise to. Fear not, little flock. It's your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. What more could you want? Sell what you have, what you're trusting in. Give alms, provide yourselves bags which wax not old.

A treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupted, for where your treasure is. There your heart will be also. Where is your treasure? Where is your treasure? Now let's go back to Matthew chapter 16 or Matthew chapter six. Lay not up for yourselves, verse 19, treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, so uncertain. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Now, this all has to do with contentment with Christ. That's what the subject is. Having food and raiment, let us be there with content. Now, would you turn with me to Hebrews chapter 13? Hebrews chapter 13.

Verse five, let your conversation, that is everything about your life, let your conversation be without covetousness. Now, how in the world is my conversation to be without covetousness? Because all you gotta do is tell me to covet, not to covet, and that's what I do. Covetousness, the last of the Ten Commandments, it's what Paul said, taught him he was a sinner. He didn't know sin, except the law said, thou shalt not covet. And he said, covetousness just overcame him. Now, what is this thing of not coveting?

And being content with such things as you have." Well, if you're not coveting, it means there's nothing to covet. You have everything. Right now, present tense, there is nothing for you to covet. Let's read this verses five through eight. Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content Be satisfied, don't be looking for anything else, with such things as you have. For he has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, so that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What man shall do unto me? Now, child of God, what do you have? Remember, he says, be content with such things as you have.

And this is not talking about material things. Now, we all have reason to be content materially. We all live like kings. And it's wrong to always be wanting something more. And so you know that as well as I do, but that's not really what he's talking about. What do you have? You have Christ. Every believer can say, I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine. That means you are in Christ.

Of him, 1 Corinthians 1.30, of him are you. Don't look at this as generic. If you're a believer, this is you. of Him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, holiness, and redemption. What could you want more than that? Of him are you in Christ, that means you're resting not in his choice of you, but his choice of you in Christ. In Christ.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. What do you have? Well, you have the same thing David had, that he spoke of in 2 Samuel 23, 5. Although my house be not so with God. David's house was a mess. yet hath He made with me an everlasting covenant ordered." He made this with me. He ain't made it with David. He first made it with Christ. He made this with me.

He has made with me an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure and this is all my salvation. All my salvation is in that everlasting covenant, ordered in all things. And sure, I can say that with just as much conviction as David. This is all my salvation. And it's all my desire. It's all I want. There's nothing to covet if I have this. It's all my desire. My desire stops here.

Simply being found in Christ. What do you have? Listen to these words. If God be for us, who could be against us? That's what you have. God for you. He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? God, justify them. What do you have? Justification. You stand before God right now while you're sitting there without guilt as one who has never sinned. That's what justification is. That's yours. That's yours.

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It's God that justifies. Yea, who is he that condemned? It's Christ that died. There's nothing to condemn you for. Christ died. Yea, rather, that's risen again, who's even at the right hand of God. What do you have? Christ as your personal righteousness, right now. Bold shall I stand in that great day, for who unto my charge shall lay? Fully absolved from these I am from sins, tremendous curse and shame, because Christ is my righteousness. You have the forgiveness of sins.

Me and you have committed a lot of sins, haven't we? And we say that with shame. Say that with shame. And the fact of the matter is, I don't have any idea how many there are. But they're all forgiven sins. Blotted out. Canceled. By Christ's death on the cross.

He's taken away your sins and given you his righteousness. You have a new heart. You have a new heart that you weren't born with. You've got a heart that's the creative act of God, a new heart, a new nature, the literal creation of God. You have a man that does not and cannot commit sin.

Now needless to say, the old man's still there. The scripture says we have this treasure, this treasure in earthen vessels. We know that, don't we? In earthen vessels, that the excellency, the power may be of God and not of us. but we have this new man who is greater than the old man.

You have acceptance. He hath made us accepted in the beloved. You have the full acceptance and approval of your heavenly father. You have completion. How many areas do you feel incomplete? All of them. But what do you have? In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in Him. Listen to this. What do you have?

You're a member of the church of the firstborn, and your name, your name, name your name, it's written in heaven. What could be better than that? To have your name written in heaven. And I know who wrote it there. The God of glory wrote your name in the Lamb's book of life. You've got a place reserved in heaven for you. Who are you? What do you have? Well, you have marriage with the Lamb. You're the Lamb's wife. He's your husband. And what a husband He is. You reckon He's going to take care of His bride?

You will spend eternity seeing Him as He is, and you will, in your experience, be just like Him, perfectly conformed to His image eternally, beholding His glory. And until that point, we have this promise from Romans 8, 28. Until then, All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. You have his promise. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

You have this God-created knowledge that Christ is all. Only somebody that God has taught really understands that Christ really is all. He's all to you, he's all to God, he's all in the Bible, he's all in my salvation. That's being taught of God. That's the new knowledge that he gives.

You have the Lord as your shepherd. We just sang that. The Lord is my shepherd. Oh, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in the green pastures of his word. He leads me beside the still waters, the waters of quietness, the waters of peace. because my shepherd is the Lord, I'm not gonna want anything.

Paul said, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I've suffered the loss of all things and do count it but done. Well, if I ever hear somebody talking about a lot of sacrifice for Christ, Dung's not much of a sacrifice. I'm not impressed with you if you think you sacrificed anything for Christ. Paul said, I count it but dung, that I may win Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is the faithfulness of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Turn with me to Hebrews chapter 11. While you're turning there, I love the word better in Hebrews. It's used in Hebrews more than anywhere else. Christ is better than the angels. He's a better hope than the law. He's the surety of a better testament. He's the better promise. He's the better sacrifice. He's the better country. He's the better resurrection.

But look here in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 24. By faith, Moses, when it has come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect under the recompense of the reward.

He is the treasure in heaven. He is my treasure in heaven. Now, where your treasure is, is Christ your treasure. Rich as I heed not, nor man's empty praise, thou, mine inheritance, now and always, thou and thou only, first in my heart. I, king of heaven, my treasure thou art. Where he is your treasure, you see everything else in its proper light.

Here is what all earthly treasures amount to, nothing. Nothing. Now, if you see Christ as your treasure, you feel that way. It doesn't mean you're indifferent about material things. You want the Lord to take care of you. But you know that all of it is nothing. Your treasure is in heaven.

I think of Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3 says, He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings. And the only kind of blessings really there are spiritual blessings. It could be material blessings or a curse. It could be health as a curse. We can't look at these things. Now, I'm thankful for the ability to pay my bills. I'm thankful for good health. You are too. But you can't know that the Lord's blessing is on you if you have these things. His blessings are spiritual blessings. And He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. If we have all, what is there to Covet.

Matthew 6. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, hoarding, looking for security and safety in those things. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, thinking you have status and that you have power. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, though so insecure, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is in heaven, there your heart will be also.

One final scripture, Colossians chapter three. Verse one, if you then be risen with Christ, what a glorious thought. When Christ was raised, I was raised. I was raised with him. That's mysterious, it's glorious, it's true. If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, set your affection, not affections, your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Here's why, you're dead. You're dead. Tell a dead man he's won the lottery. How much does it mean to him? Tell a dead man that everybody hates him. How much does it mean to him? Tell a dead man anything about this world, and it's meaningless. Now, that is the way you and I ought to be with regard to everything. We're dead. This world's not our home. I'm not going to be too up or down about anything happening in this life. You're dead. Praise a dead man. Is he flattered? No. Speak harshly to him. What's it do to him? Nothing. You are dead.

And your life is hid with Christ. In God, when Christ, and notice that who is is in italics. Leave it out, when Christ our life shall appear. Here's what you have, you have the life of Christ. When Christ our life shall appear, then shall you appear with him in glory. Christ is my treasure. He's in heaven. That's where my heart is. Let's pray.

Lord, how we thank you for our treasure in heaven. How we thank you for the excellency and the glory of Jesus Christ. And how we thank you for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Lord, enable us to not lay up for ourselves treasures here upon earth, but treasures in heaven. And Lord, cause Christ to be our treasure. And Lord, if he is, that's where our heart is in security. enable us to find complete contentment and satisfaction in simply being found in Him. In His name we pray, amen.

Treasure in Heaven

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about laying up treasures in heaven?

How do we know that seeking the kingdom of God is important?

Why is being content with what we have important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

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Treasure in Heaven

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about laying up treasures in heaven?

How do we know that seeking the kingdom of God is important?

Why is being content with what we have important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

Comments

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