Treasure in heaven

Lay Up Treasure in HeavenLay Up Treasure in HeavenReasons to lay up treasure in heaven

How to lay up treasure in heaven

Matthew 6:19-21

19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Background

Solomon described the problem with material wealth – All is vanity

Riches perish – can be lost – don't satisfy

Treasure in heaven – can not be lost

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven

1 Treasure on earth is insecure1 Treasure on earth is insecureMoth and rust destoryThieves can stealLoss – inflation, stocks down, bankruptcy


1 Treasure on earth is insecure1 Treasure on earth is insecureMoth and rust destoryThieves can stealLoss – inflation, stocks down, bankruptcy

2 Treasure in heaven is secure2 Treasure in heaven is secureTreasure is not destroyedThieves cannot steal


3 Our treasure is where our heart will be3 Our treasure is where our heart will beHeart = Affections, Hopes, DreamsHeart on earth = material thingsHeart in heaven = focus on the spiritual

Colossians 3:1-21 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.


4 To keep our eye good4 To keep our eye goodMatthew 6:22-23 22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!


4 To keep our eye good4 To keep our eye goodMatthew 6:22-23

Body = the soul, spirit or inner manEye = the gaze of the soul or heart of manGood = simple, singleBad = wicked, evil


4 To keep our eye good4 To keep our eye good Matthew 6:22-23 If the heart or gaze of the soul is good (single in it love for the things of God), then one is filled with light.If the heart or gaze of the soul is evil ( full of envy, covetousness), then one's soul is filled with darkness (selfishness, wickedness, falsehood).


5 To make God our Master5 To make God our MasterMatthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. A master demands TOTAL loyaltyA master demands TOTAL loyaltyMammon = Aramaic for riches


1 By giving to the poor1 By giving to the poor1 Timothy 6:17-19 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.


2 Not that eternal life can be purchased2 Not that eternal life can be purchasedEphesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.Salvation is by grace, not worksWe do good BECAUSE, not TO GETWe do good BECAUSE, not TO GET

Conclusion

We are not called to asceticismWe are not called to asceticismGod wants us to enjoy what we haveHe exepcts a heart of sharing, giving

We are to work with our handsWe are to work with our handsTo care for our family – 1 Timothy 5:8To help others in need – Ephesians 4:28

Conclusion

Are you laying up treasure in heaven?Are you laying up treasure in heaven?

Jesus told us WHYJesus told us WHY

Jesus (and Paul) told us howJesus (and Paul) told us how

Spiritual

Treasure in heaven