What It Means To Lay Up Treasures In Heaven

Peoples of all cultures happily work hard to get treasures especially money, jewelry, gold and others. Those who possess these great treasures are not only highly esteemed but also regarded as powerful in society. In fact, they live a life of luxury and comfort.

Most wealthy people lay up their possessions in secure places for themselves and their families. However, Jesus Christ criticizes this attitude of the rich, and instructs them rather to lay up treasures in heaven.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Pastors have, over the centuries, preached and taught about this criticism of Jesus Christ. In wrongly interpreting the words of Jesus, many pastors have discouraged millions of believers from working for treasures and valuable assets.

They downplay the importance of acquisition of properties, stressing that these are things that can be destroyed by moth, rust, fire or floods. They encourage believers to focus their energy on laying up treasures in heaven by giving only to their churches and pastors.

This has led many Christians to view possession of houses, money, gold and other treasures as unnecessary. Many, therefore, grow old with nothing to bequeath to their children, grandchildren, churches and orphanages

This situation discourages many unbelievers from embracing the gospel or believing in Jesus Christ. They do not want to live a life of penury. They do not want to inflict poverty on themselves, their children and grandchildren and be denied the resources to help the poor.

But what do the words of Jesus calling on His followers not to lay up treasures on earth but to lay them up in heaven really mean? Was He against the acquisition of wealth or treasures on earth?

I often say that biblical passages should be interpreted in the light of other passages of Scripture to ensure accurate, sound teaching. For example, Luke 18:22 sheds light on Matthew 6:19-21. In Luke 18:22, Jesus clearly explains what it means to lay up treasures in heaven.

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

In the verse above, Jesus links giving to the poor to laying up treasures in heaven. In other words, when a Christian gives freely, willingly and cheerfully to address the plight of the poor, the needy, the orphan and the stranger, they lay up treasures in heaven. Giving to the poor is giving to God who is in heaven.

Moreover, as already indicated in a previous paragraph, laying up treasures in heaven also involves giving to the church for the advancement of the gospel and for the wellbeing of preachers as Paul taught in Philippians 4:15-19.

Now, we know that people give what they have. The rich give out of their riches. Thus, Christ Jesus does not speak against hard work, building of houses or acquisition of treasures or wealth. He is interested in the prosperity of believers.

However, He speaks against hoarding or accumulating  possessions, goods or money for selfish gratification. He speaks against situations where the rich live comfortably in abundance while the poor suffer hunger, homelessness, nakedness and the preaching of the gospel is constrained by lack of resources.

When people refuse to attend to the needs of the poor they lay up their treasures on earth. But when they help the poor they lay up their treasures in heaven. Now, the rich have the ministry to ensure that the poor smile because of them. This is the beauty of life which must be greatly practiced by Christians.

By James Quansah