Jesus spoke of storing up treasures in heaven the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Paul mentioned storing up treasures in heaven in one of his letters.
What does storing up treasures in heaven mean?
Storing up treasures in heaven is a financial act with eternal implications. Giving to the poor is one way in which one can store treasures in heaven. Contributing to gospel causes is another way treasures in heaven are established.
We are saved by grace through faith, not by generosity. Generosity is an outworking of salvation. Salvation is not earned by it. Let’s not conflate them.
This brief article will cover four instances in which treasures in heaven are mentioned in the Bible.
#1 Treasures In Heaven — The Sermon On The Mount
Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Is Jesus forbidding the act of saving or investing money in the Sermon on the Mount? I don’t believe that He is. The entire Bible must be considered when interpreting scripture. Jesus, The Word, would not contradict Himself.
The same God who said “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” also encouraged us to leave an inheritance to our grandchildren.
Jesus issued a fair warning, though. Treasures on earth can be lost. Investments can go sideways. Businesses go bankrupt. All of the best-laid plans of mice and men go awry.
Financial contributions to gospel causes endure forever. Every dollar that you’ve ever given is eternally safe and sound. Money is leveraged to make friends in high places (here’s an article that I wrote on the Parable of the Unjust Steward).
Gospel investments do not rust or deteriorate or disappear.
Do you desire a heart for the unsaved? Then give to gospel causes.
#2 Treasures in Heaven — The Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:21-22 Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Jesus did not establish a doctrine of asceticism. He was not requiring Christians to give all of their resources to care for the poor. Jesus confronted the rich young ruler about his idolatry of money.
Giving to the poor was not the key to this person’s salvation. His love for money was a stumbling block and Jesus called him out on it. Jesus never went for the cheap conversion.
Most of us would have failed this test. A young man ran to Jesus wanting salvation. What must he do? Most would have simply led the person in a simple prayer and notched their belt.
Not Jesus, though. He dug below the surface. Money was more important to the young man than God.
Was this a test? It could be.
What did Jesus actually say? He told the man to sell all of his possessions and give to the poor. How much was he supposed to give? He needed to give enough until the idol was eradicated.
Generosity is a cure for financial idolatry.
#3 Treasures in Heaven — Money Bags
Luke 12:33-34 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke continues the theme of giving to the poor. He actually begins in verse thirteen with the parable of the rich fool. It’s easy to pull a single verse out of context without gaining the full weight of the point being made.
Luke was discussing the need to trust God with our financial lives. We often get trapped with worry and financial anxiety that we forget to care for others.
Jesus once again encouraged radical generosity. He made it crystal clear that what we give for eternity never fails. Money bags don’t grow old, our treasures in heaven do not fail, and thieves cannot steal from heaven.
Luke reiterated the same point made by Jesus in Mark’s Gospel. It’s vital that we burn the following quote onto our hearts and mind.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:34
#4 Treasures In Heaven — A Message to the Rich
I Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Paul’s letter to Timothy was for pastoral instruction. Timothy was relatively young. Paul mentored Timothy in pastoral wisdom. How should he address wealthy people in the congregation?
Walk in Financial Humility
Paul used strong language in his pastoral letters. Here is telling Timothy to command those who are rich to be humble in financial matters.
What does it mean to be rich in this present world? Most Americans are relatively rich when compared to many other nations. A person earning $25,000 in the United States might consider themselves poor. However, most of the world’s population lives off of significantly less.
Stay humble if you’re winning at wealth. Our hope should never be in wealth but in God.
A family of four in the United States earning $50,000 per year is six times more wealthy than the global median.
Be Generous
Timothy is commanded to speak boldly about money. He is to command the wealthy to be rich in good deeds and to be generous.
Why must he remind church members? Our sin nature must be crucified daily. Generosity is contrary to our sinful nature. Radical generosity keeps our old man down!
How much should we give? That question is not specifically answered. Paul simply writes that they should be generous. We are to give as we purpose in our hearts. Giving should be cheerful and never under compulsion.
That’s harder than a set amount. The grace to give often leads us to give more than a legalistic, self-imposed mandate.
Paul ultimately writes that this generosity is an eternal treasure and a firm foundation for the coming life. God rewards generosity.
Treasures In Heaven — Prosperity Gospel Error
Heavenly bank accounts are non-existent. Thinking that we can “withdraw” money from our treasure in heaven is ridiculous and borderline heretical.
Don’t fall for that nonsense.
Here’s a great Bible verse that explains how many prosperity gospel preachers operate:
2 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT) Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed, they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.