I love your web site and visit regularly. Any idea what we would use treasure in heaven for? I know we can store it up, but I wonder why we would need it.
You’re referring to Matt. 6:19-21; “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths 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.”
The Greek word translated “treasures” is actually a treasure chest, a receptacle where good and precious things are stored. It seems likely that we won’t need any money in heaven so I believe the Lord must have been speaking allegorically. If so, our treasure chest contains all the acts of kindness and generosity we extend toward those in need.
If we perform these acts in order to be admired by the people around us, the recognition we get will be short lived, and others might try to diminish their value or even take the credit due us for themselves. In any event, they will soon be forgotten.
But if we perform them solely for the Lord, not caring if they’re noticed by others or not, they will have great and lasting value to Him. They will become our treasures in Heaven. 1 Cor. 3:10-15 says they will be like gold, silver and precious stones.
The sentence “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” speaks to the motive of our heart when we do these things. Being kind to others for the credit we may receive here means our heart is lodged in this world. Doing so purely out of gratitude for what the Lord has done for us means our heart is focused on our eternity with Him.