Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus said it in Matthew 6:21, and it’s just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. The question is: What are you really treasuring? And where is your heart leading you?
We live in a world that pushes us to chase more, more money, more stuff, more success. But if you’re always chasing the next thing, it’s easy to miss the only thing that really matters: eternal life in Christ. That’s why Jesus reminds us in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” If we want to live the abundant life Jesus promises, we must learn how to treasure what God treasures.
The Danger of Earthly Treasures
Let’s be honest, most of us don’t realize how much we’re shaped by what we value. Our calendars, our bank accounts, and our energy usually follow what we treasure. That’s why Jesus gives a clear warning in Luke 12:15, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Covetousness isn’t just about money. It shows up in our desire for success, comfort, attention, or control, anything we’re tempted to chase more than God. It’s a trap that always whispers “just a little more,” but no matter what we gain, it is never fully satisfied.
Think about the idols that crowd our modern lives: phones, hobbies, work schedules, and even our kids’ activities. None of these are bad in themselves, but when they become the central pursuit of our lives, they start taking up space where God belongs.
The result? Distraction. Discontentment. Distance from the abundant life God wants and has ready for you.
Jesus wasn’t kidding when He said the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Satan’s goal is to steal your attention, kill your joy, and destroy your relationship with God and others. God is always trying to give us something, that gift is simply being present with Him, instead of hiding, and the devil is always trying to take something from us, drawing us away from God. And he often does it by convincing us to chase lesser treasures instead of lasting ones.
The Value of Heavenly Treasures
So, what are heavenly treasures?
The Bible talks about them as things that last beyond this life, eternal, incorruptible, and secure in Heaven. Jesus tells us plainly in Matthew 6:19–20, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Heavenly treasures include things like:
- Faith that endures
- Acts of love and compassion
- Generosity that blesses others
- Sharing the gospel
- Discipling others
- Serving in ways that no one sees but God
These are the things that can't be lost, stolen, or destroyed. They’re investments that never fail and will leave a legacy that never fades. The Apostle Paul puts it this way when writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6–7: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
Jesus gave everything, not so we could build comfortable lives but so we could live on mission. Timothy’s calling was to take the gospel to others, and Paul reminded him that godliness and contentment, not possessions or status, are what really matter in the Kingdom of God. Paul knew how to live the A-Life.
The real gain doesn’t come from getting more. It comes from giving more. Godliness with contentment isn’t just about being satisfied with “less”. It’s about recognizing that the only thing we take with us is what we gave to God. All the earthly treasures we’re tempted to chase, money, status, success, stay behind. But the life we live for Christ and His Kingdom? That's gain that lasts forever. The only two things that last forever are the Word of God and the souls of men.
The Heart Follows the Treasure
Jesus doesn’t just tell us to store up treasure in Heaven, He tells us why: because our heart will follow what we treasure. This isn’t just about belief. It’s about behavior. What we do goes far beyond what we say.
If we say we love God, but all our energy and money goes into temporary things, our hearts will follow that path. But if we start investing in the Kingdom, our time, our talent, our treasure, our hearts will begin to shift. We’ll start wanting what God wants. We’ll start loving what God loves. And that’s when life starts to change, not because we’re trying harder, but because we’re treasuring differently.
How Do You Store Up Heavenly Treasures?
Let’s get practical. The question isn’t just what heavenly treasures are, it’s how we pursue them while we’re still living in a world that values the opposite. Here are a few ways to invest in treasures that last:
- Live generously. Trust God with your finances, time, and talent. Giving isn't just about money; it's about obedience, worship, and eternal impact.
- Make disciples. Consider signing up to go through discipleship, and then look for others to disciple.
- Serve faithfully. Your service matters, whether it’s kids’ ministry, student ministry, worship, or behind-the-scenes help.
- Love intentionally. Look for ways to love your neighbor, your coworker, your kids, or the person who’s hardest to love.
- Share the gospel. Don’t wait to be a missionary! You can live sent right where you are.
- Grow in community. Join a group and walk with others who can challenge you, encourage you, and remind you what matters most.
None of these actions earn our salvation, but they are the fruit of a life that’s truly been changed by Jesus. They reflect what we treasure.
How Prioritizing Heavenly Treasures Changes Our Outlook
When we start living with eternity in mind, everything looks different. We’re not just thinking about today’s schedule or this month’s paycheck. We’re thinking about what will still matter in 1,000 years.
That shift changes how we use our time, how we parent, how we respond to disappointment, and how we define success. You might not gain applause from the world, but you’ll gain something far better: peace, purpose, and the joy of knowing your life is counting for eternity. You’ll begin to experience what Jesus meant when He said He came to give us life more abundantly, not a life free from pain or challenge, but a life filled with meaning beyond the grave.
Generosity Is a Discipleship Issue
Most of us don’t like talking about money in the church, but Jesus talked about it often.
Why? Because your treasure shows your heart. It’s that simple.
For some of us, trusting God with our finances is one of the clearest steps toward heavenly treasure. That means giving, living with open hands, and believing that what we give away for the Kingdom is never lost; it’s invested.
We’ve heard stories of couples who were buried in debt but chose to tithe anyway. Others gave when it didn’t make sense on paper. And now, they’re not just financially free; they’re spiritually free. Generosity is not about the size of the gift but the size of the sacrifice. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Ask yourself: What would it look like for me to value what God values with my money?
The Fields Are White for Harvest
There are people in your city, your neighborhood, and across the world who don’t know Jesus. And Jesus said in John 4:35, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” But harvest doesn’t happen automatically. If we don’t act, it won’t come to fruition. Reaping the spiritual harvest requires an army of believers who are willing to step outside their comfort zones and participate in discipleship, mission trips, church planting, and service in the local church. You don’t have to do everything. But what’s the one thing you can do?
So, What’s Your Next Step?
Jesus doesn’t just want to bless you, He wants to transform you. And a changed life changes lives. Let’s live like we’re late. Let’s live like every moment matters. Let’s live like eternity is real, because it is. And let’s treasure what God treasures, living life abundantly.
Above all, take time this week to pray and listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Ask Him what’s next. Where are you settling for less? What’s holding you back from a life of abundance? If you don’t know where to begin, start here.