Do Not Treasure Treasures

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19).

What do you prize most of all in life? What is it that you treasure? Family? Peace? Contentment? Health? Safety? Do you treasure the material things of life - wealth, fine clothes or foods, a luxurious car or house? Or do you treasure status, popularity, acceptance, power, influence?

The words ‘lay up’ and ‘treasures’ come from the same Greek word thaysauros. It refers to a ‘store house’ (noun) or to ‘store up’ (verb) like a thesaurus is a store house or depository of words. It is clear from the context that Jesus is speaking about material ‘treasures’ that can be destroyed by moths (clothing) and rust (gold, silver), and stolen by thieves (anything else of value).

Jesus did not say that disciples are not to have material resources that may be considered treasures to the person or the family. Jesus said His disciples are not to ‘treasure’ their ‘treasures’, hoard them, be selfish with them. The Apostle Paul did not say money is the root of all evil, he said the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils (1 Timothy 6:10), and keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5)

What is the point of this prohibition? It is more than just bewared of moths and rust and thieves. It’s more than being careful to take care of your hard earned resources. The very heart of the issue is love for God and love for one another. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18).

A prime example of this is given in Acts 2:44-45, And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 

“Father, thank You for all the many wonderful resources that You have blessed me and my family with. Help me daily, through the leading of Your Holy Spirit, to use these resources to minister to others in need. Remind me that I own nothing, but am simply a steward of Your Kingdom’s wealth, and that these resources are to be shared with others so that You may be honored and glorified through this ministry. Amen.”

Pastor