Search
Treasures in Heaven
-
May 8, 2023
JESUS' IMPORTANT LESSON ABOUT OUR FINANCES
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." -Matthew 6:19-21 (NAB)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught an important lesson about our finances. As dual citizens of both Earth and Heaven, our allegiance is torn between the two. On the one hand, we live in an earthly kingdom that presses us to amass sufficient wealth to buffer against the challenges we daily face. We wish to live a comfortable life and prepare for an uncertain economic future. This requires earning more, saving more, and working diligently to create a secure lifestyle for ourselves and our children.
On the other hand, we recognize that this earthly kingdom is time-limited while our heavenly one is eternal. Our current existence cannot compare to the splendor and glory of what is to come, yet we are frequently bombarded with societal messages calling us to live the good life in the here-and-now. In the end, suggests Christ, we must choose which of these two will receive our focus, and our treasure.
THE MORAL DILEMMA
Our budgets, therefore, can pose a moral dilemma. In other words, our investments determine our loyalty; either we choose to heavily invest in the present reality or in the life to come. The ever-urgent call to the good life clashes with Jesus’ call to invest our treasure in heaven.We are provided a difficult choice by none other than the one to whom we owe our treasures.
Throughout history courageous Christians have faced and struggled with this moral dilemma. Our church’s heritage of societal improvement is testament to their legacy of investing in Heaven. The world is a better place because of those choices and, I suspect, many who have entered the heavenly realm can see the benefit and rejoice in having made the better investment.Our challenge, therefore, is to choose which kingdom deserves our true allegiance. Where our hearts are rooted will receive the majority of our treasure. So, as you spend time in prayer and contemplation, consider Jesus’ teaching. Rather than storing our treasures in our earthly home, consider rebalancing your portfolio in a way that reflects the place that deserves your true
allegiance, your heavenly one. After all, where your treasure is invested ultimately will become the place where your heart is.
About the Author: Kevin Brown
After helping to bring a small, not-for-profit from almost dead to a multi-million dollar, nationally-recognized organization, I have moved into the next phase of life: teaching others to replicate the work. I am currently serving as Associate Professor of Social Work at the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work at Southern University of New Orleans.