I Want Treasures In Heaven!

I Want Treasures in Heaven!

Luke 12:22-34

Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz

Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry

about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear.

23 “For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 “Consider the

ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God

feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 “And which of you by

worrying can add a day to his life’s span? 26 “Therefore if you cannot do even a very

little thing, why do you worry about the other things? 27 “Consider the lilies, how they

grow: they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory

clothed himself like one of these. 28 “Now if God so clothes the grass in the field,

which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He

clothe you? You of little faith! 29 “And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are

to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 “For all these things are what the nations of the

world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 “But seek His

kingdom, and these things will be provided to you. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock,

because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom. 33 “Sell your possessions

and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, an inexhaustible

treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy. 34 “For where

your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In Luke 12:22–34, Jesus speaks directly to the heart of human anxiety and spiritual

priority. He contrasts what is important in this life with what holds eternal significance

in the life to come. His message is clear: trust in God, who knows our needs and

provides for them.

At first glance, this teaching seems simple—don’t worry, trust God. But in practice, it’s

profoundly challenging. We live in a world filled with contradiction, where people often

profess one set of values but live by another. We see individuals who speak of faith,

generosity, and spiritual devotion, yet their actions reveal a deeper trust in material

security or social status.

Jesus invites His followers to release their grip on earthly concerns and embrace a life

of faithful dependence. He reminds us that life is more than food, and the body more

than clothing. The call is not to neglect responsibility, but to reorder our priorities—to

seek the kingdom of God first, trusting that all else will be added in due time.

This passage challenges us to examine our own lives. Do our actions reflect our stated

beliefs? Are we living with eternal perspective or temporary obsession? Do we truly

trust God to provide, or are we clinging to control?

In a world of mixed messages, Jesus offers clarity: seek the kingdom, trust the Father,

and let your life reflect the treasure of Heaven.

It’s difficult to take a lecture seriously when the speaker doesn’t live by their own words.

Consider the person who passionately preaches about global warming while driving a

gas-guzzling car and refusing to invest in solar energy. That’s just one example among

many.

But perhaps more troubling is the person who claims to be a devoted disciple of Jesus

Christ—yet only attends church on Christmas and Easter, and contributes a mere $10

a year toward its upkeep. Really?

The heart of this passage is about trusting God and revealing where our true treasures

lie. The phrase “God knows our hearts” comes from the Hebrew Scriptures. It’s an idiom

that means God discerns our intentions through our actions.

So how many church treasurers and finance secretaries complain about low giving—

while quietly contributing little themselves? Sadly, in many congregations, some of the

very people entrusted with financial leadership are among the least generous.

At one church, the Chairperson of the Trustees—who, by incorporation, was also the

President of the church —gave zero dollars. Yes, zero. Yet throughout the year, he

regularly criticized the Trustees’ budget. This individual was financially secure, with a

lucrative career. And still, nothing.

Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. But more importantly, God

sees the heart. That person may have accumulated earthly wealth, but it’s possible he

has stored up few, if any, treasures in Heaven.

There are people who use the very systems society has built to accumulate great

wealth—only to later criticize those systems and call for change. But often, their