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.
People don’t leave their valuables in the shed or in their backyard, but they store them in a safe. People don’t invest their wealth in a company that they are worried will soon file for bankruptcy, but they put it in a stock they believe will go up in value, and give them a bountiful return. People want to store their treasures in things that will both last and increase in value. But Jesus doesn’t just say that storing up treasures on earth is only likely to end poorly. He guarantees it. Earth is a place where moth and rust will destroy the value of our treasures. Earth is a place where thieves break in and steal the hopes we have for our treasures. Our gold, if invested on earth, will rust. Our earthly clothes will be eaten by moths. Our intentions will be redirected and stolen by thieves. This mortal world and all its kingdoms will eventually come to an end. And when it does, all of its treasures will be lost forever. Do not store up your treasures here. It is infinitely more prudent, Jesus teaches, to store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Heaven is a place where a treasure’s value is never lost. Treasures that are stored up there have neither moth nor rust to ruin them. There are no thieves in heaven to break in or spoil the value of such treasures. Heaven is an immortal world and an everlasting kingdom. All of its treasures will forever be cherished and accrue value. Store up your treasures there. Invest where you want your heart to be.
Spiritual Steve 