What or Who is your source??( Matthew 6: 19-21 NKJV)

What Are Our Treasures?

Often, we place too much value on the things around us. Making stuff such as our car, house, money, or relationships our treasures, causing us to build up more and more treasures on earth. However, in Matthew 6, Jesus specifically tells us to lay up our treasures in heaven. To be more specific, Jesus says, "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." The treasures we store here on earth are not only liable to destruction but also to theft, giving the impression that the valuables we store here, on earth, are temporary. As I read this short passage, I also came to believe that Jesus is telling us not only to focus on growing in heaven, but also that where we lay up our treasures becomes the source of our character.

The Power Of Our Treasures

In verse 21 of this passage, Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The heart, the source of our bodily life and power, will depend on what we treasure. Whether it be things from heaven or things here on earth, the things we find precious will become our source of character. This is why I believe Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven: the treasures we store up here on earth are temporary, while those we store up in heaven are everlasting and secure. When we place too much value on the temporary, allowing it to be the source of our character and the center of our livelihood, we set ourselves up for destruction, failure, and unsteady ground, because these temporary treasures will never last forever or sustain us in good faith. In fact, the act of placing our treasures in heaven is remembering that through giving and providing for others, we build within us the heart and character of Christ, along with the true relationship with God that does not come by our own strength, but as a gift of our steadfast trust and love in Him

Truth Behind The Treasure

This leads to questions such as "Am I not supposed to save money?" or "What's wrong with wanting more myself?" When Jesus told us not to lay up treasures, he was telling the people not to place so much value in storing up temporary things. Jesus knows that we have needs, but he also warns us of the greed that comes with storing up things on earth. The value we place on our cars, homes, clothes, or relationships slowly dictates our way of life. So, Jesus speaks, telling us to place more value on things in heaven than on those here on earth. Especially as he goes on to say in chapter 6, verse 33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." When we dedicate our lives to God, our hearts and minds are reformed, shifted so that we may know and share the true values of living. Our lives were not given for the pleasures of ourselves, instead our purpose in today's world is to act as a light in the darkness, a life that can only be lived if we focus on growing up the treasures in heaven and less on the treasures on earth.