What does it mean that “where your treasure is there will your heart be also”?

Answer

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His listeners the difference between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure, emphasizing the importance of the heavenly: “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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Whatever we focus on dictates our actions. When we focus on earthly success and wealth, we will expend our energies on earthly matters. However, when we focus on God’s priorities, our actions will reflect different priorities—and our reward in heaven will last forever.

Treasure is anything we value above all else and that which motivates us to action. For some, it is money. For others, it is power. Still, other people strive for fame or attention. There are many things in this world vying for control of our heart. According to Jesus, determining where our treasure is also determines where our heart is. Many people claim to look forward to heaven, but their hearts are really not in it—their hearts are caught up in the cares of this world because that’s where their treasure lies.

Jesus warned us that earthly currency has an expiration date. While it may satisfy us temporarily, it is unstable and fleeting. The ever-changing faces on magazine covers remind us that the famous are here and gone in a blink. The stock market crash of 1929 taught us that the wealthy can quickly lose it all. Power, prestige, and public approval are limited and can be gone in an instant. Even the Son of God experienced the fickleness of human approval. One day people were trying to make Him king «When Jesus, therefore, perceived that they would come.and took him by force to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain by himself alone.” , (John 6:15), and the next they were leaving Him in droves (verse 66).

“This world in its present form is passing away” «and those who use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passes away. », (1 Corinthians 7:31). The moment we take our last breath, earthly treasure won’t matter anymore. Jesus urged us to think beyond that last breath to eternity. When our focus is on eternity—when our treasure is laid up in heaven—our lifestyles reflect that perspective.

We will all give an account of ourselves before God for every action «So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God. », (Romans 14:12) and every idle word «But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. », (Matthew 12:36). No one is exempt. Excuses are not accepted. God sees and knows every thought we think and holds us accountable for the truth we’ve been given (Romans 1:18-22). We store up “treasure in heaven” when we make choices on earth that benefit God’s kingdom. Jesus said that even offering a cup of cool water to a fellow believer is worthy of eternal reward «And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall in no way lose his reward.», (Matthew 10:42).

In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus told a story aboutAbout a wealthy man and a beggar. The wealthy man had devoted his life to luxury and enjoyment. He cared little for anyone or anything but himself. When he passed away, his wealth could not accompany him. His life decisions had only prepared him for hell, and all the wealth and status he experienced on earth meant nothing. After death, he would have given everything he ever possessed for a single drop of water, but his riches had been invested elsewhere.

It is not a sin to be wealthy, but our desires follow our investments. Affluent individuals who view their riches as belonging to God will utilize what they have in ways that hold eternal significance, safeguarding their hearts from the love of money «For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. », (1 Timothy 6:10). Those whose treasure is in heaven cannot be possessed by their possessions. They cannot be swayed because nothing on earth is worth the price of their soul. They esteem the currency of heaven and utilize their earthly treasure to acquire “heavenly gold,” which will never depreciate. Investing our treasure in material things keeps our hearts tied to earthly values; however, when we invest in things of eternal value, our hearts stay devoted to the Lord, and we will not be enticed to foolishly try to serve both God and money «No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. », (Luke 16:13).