LAY UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Worldliness has nothing in common with the universe or the planet earth itself. Neither is it related to the mass of people that inhabit earth. Worldliness, from a biblical standpoint, is when a person, a family, a country, or a nation estimates the tangible things of the world to be more valuable than everything else that is attainable during life on earth - placing the wealth of present worldly treasures over the wealth that can be found in future spiritual treasures.

In this admonition by our Savior, delivered in His "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus does not limit the amount of earthly wealth one can possess and still be pleasing to the heavenly Father. As a matter of fact, the parable of the talents, which Jesus related, indicates that we are to use our talents and abilities to their fullest extent to increase their value (See Matt. 25:14-30). To waste one's abilities or the time given each of usto live here on earth to only accumulate wealth, is to make void the good that could be done with such material gain. Jesus' concern, and the message He sends to all who read and hear the lesson text, is the attitude one has toward material wealth. To the extent that one is able, earning is not sinful. However, the covetous desire to earn, possess, and retain the treasures of earth is were transgression lies.

This is exactly what Jesus demonstrates with the following parables. The covetous desire of a certain rich man was apparent in the parable related in Luke 12:16-21, and closes with this statement, So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. It was also apparent that a certain (rich) ruler had much wealth accumulated, but desired to keep it for himself rather than distribute unto the poor. Hear Jesus' admonition to this rich ruler: How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God (See Luke 18:18-24).

As many in the world believe in error, that "money is the root of all kinds of evil," Paul tells us that this is not true. Regarding this fact, he wrote this to young Timothy: ... they that will (or willfully desire to) be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. He then tells Timothy, as well as all readers today, that the love of money is the root of all evil (See 1 Tim 6:8-10). He continues to tell Timothy that he is to teach them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17). A similar admonition was, by inspiration, written by the apostle John. He wrote, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1 John 2:15-16).

The Old Testament was not wanting in similar warnings about placing one's trust in the riches of the world. The Psalmist, David warns all that if riches increase, set not your heart upon them (Psalm 62:10b). Godly wisdom and understanding is better, if chosen, over gold and silver (Prov. 16:16). The accumulation of earthly wealth kept for its owners is vanity because such riches will perish (See Eccl. 5:10-14). Job was a good example of a rich, but righteous, man. Gold was not his hope or his confidence. He praised God for blessing him so richly, rather than his own hands (See Job 31:24-28).

Indeed, earthly treasures are only temporary; they have no lasting power; they are soon consumed;they rust, decay, and are often stolen. Riches of the world certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven (Prov. 23:5). To their owner who places his trust in them, there is no value in earthly wealth beyond the grave. However, when unselfishly used to help those in need, and when used to further the cause of Christ, earthly treasures can be turned into treasures in heaven. Where is your treasure? Do you place your trust in the temporal blessings of earth or in the eternal blessings found only in heaven? Jesus assures us that ...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.