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Matthew 6:19-21 - Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) 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. 

INTRODUCTION

Treasures In Heaven. Anything done in this 
life that has eternal value. The phrase is the 
equivalent of being "rich toward God" (Lk 12:21). [NIV 
SB] 

Treasures In Heaven: This was a common image 
for Jews of Jesus day; doing Gods commands 
became virtually equivalent to accumulating 
treasures with God. The context (6:19; Luke 12:33) 
suggests that Jesus primarily had acts of charity in 
mind. [NLT SB 2008]  

They are to do good, to be rich in good 
works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus 
storing up treasure for themselves as a good 
foundation for the future, so that they may take hold 
of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 
(ESV) 

Character is the great harvest of life. And 
every word or deed that through the grace of 
Christ shall kindle in one soul an impulse that 
reaches heavenward, every effort that tends to the 
formation of a Christlike character, is laying up 
treasure in heaven. {MB 88-90} 

The way you store up treasure in Heaven is 
by investing in getting people there. Rick 
Warren 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   An old man, a great man of God, lay on 
his deathbed. He summoned his grandson to come 
to his side. Calling the boy's name, he said, 
"I don't know what type of work I will be doing 
in heaven, but if it's allowed, I'm going to 
ask the Lord Jesus to let me help build your 
mansion. You be sure you send up plenty of the right 
materials." 
   Living a life of purity and love, leading 
others to Christ as we share our faith, doing good 
works in Christ's name - all of these things are 
materials that may be sent on ahead. These can never 
be touched by the fluctuations in the earthly 
economy, by natural disaster, or by thievery. 
   What kind of materials are you sending up 
to Heaven? [Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham] 

COMMENTARY

   Its amazing to me that people dont 
think twice about giving a 10 percent tip to a 
restaurant server (which they should at the very 
minimum), yet theyll balk at giving any percentage 
of their income to the Lord. 
   To me thats an indication theres 
something wrong spiritually. You can tell a lot about 
someones so-called spirituality by their giving"or 
lack thereof. It reveals their real value system 
because Jesus said, For where your treasure is, 
there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21 
NKJV). 
   Some Christians say that tithing is an 
Old Testament principle, that were under the 
New Covenant and therefore dont have to 
tithe. But we should give a minimum of 10 percent 
to the Lord. Your tithes, by the way, should go 
to your church. Then above that are offerings. 
   Heres the good news: everything you 
give means that youre investing in Gods 
work. Youre giving to God, which will result in 
fruit to your account. 
   And what does God promise? Malachi 3:10 
says, Bring all the tithes into the 
storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. 
If you do, says the Lord of Heavens 
Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for 
you. I will pour out a blessing so great you 
wont have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put 
me to the test! (NLT). 
   That sounds to me like God promises to 
provide for us when we are faithful with what He 
gives us. However, it doesnt mean that we give 
to get. Rather, we give because we have 
received. And as were faithful in this, God 
promises to bless us. 
   Ive applied this principle in my life 
for as long as Ive been a Christian and have 
found it to be true. And if youll apply it in 
your life, youll find that its true as 
well. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   The famous missionary and martyr, Jim 
Elliot, was called a fool by many for going to 
Ecuador. Theyll kill you there! some told 
him. Youll lose your life! Well, Jim 
Elliot did lose his life when he was killed by 
members of the very tribe he was trying to reach. 
His wife, Elisabeth, kept his journal in which 
he once wrote, He is no fool who gives what 
he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot 
lose. 
   Elisabeth Elliot returned to that same 
tribe where she spent years doing her mission 
work. All the while, she held to that same truth 
that when we give up our worldly possessions for 
the sake of the Gospel to gain eternal treasure 
in Christ, it makes perfect sense! 
   In our part of the world, people are 
obsessed with accumulating stuff. Next time youre 
out driving, just count the number of storage 
places you see"all existing for the sole purpose 
of keeping things no one is using. 
   Im not telling you to sell everything 
you have and move to Timbuktu. But how might 
your attitude change if you saw your worldly 
possessions as secondary to your heavenly treasures? 
Stuff cant make you happy, but heavenly 
treasures will give you everlasting joy. 
      Experience Everlasting Joy By Keeping 
Your Heavenly Treasures "  
      Your Work For Christ " As Your Most 
Important Priority!  
[PowerPoint Today by Jack Graham; 
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/powerpoint/] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Matthew 6:19-21 - Store Your Treasures In 
Heaven And Not On This Earth. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051226-1033.html 

Matthew 6:19-21: Where Your Treasure Is, 
There Your Heart Will Be Also. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200123-0930.html 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200123-0930.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs