Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures In Heaven Series

• It can be tangible or intangible.

o Don’t think that because you don’t perceive yourselves as rich that this does not apply to you. Compared with the majority on this planet, we are very rich in worldly resources.

o We can become deceived when the objectives are not intrinsically bad in themselves, but we become consumed with their attainment or enjoy them greater that we delight in God.

o We discover our real treasures are, simply by studying our deepest desires.

The key to Jesus’ warning here is yourselves. When we accumulate possessions simply for our own sakes-whether to hoard or to spend selfishly and extravagantly-those possessions become idols.

It is possible that both our treasures upon earth and our treasures in heaven can involve money and other material things. Possessions that are wisely, lovingly, willingly, and generously used for kingdom purposes can be a means of accumulating heavenly possessions. When they are hoarded and stored, however, they not only become a spiritual hindrance but are subject to loss through moth, rust, and thieves.

In ancient times, wealth was frequently measured in part by clothing. Compared to our day of mass-produced clothes, garments represented a considerable investment. Rich people sometimes had golden threads woven into their clothing, both to display and to store their wealth. But the best clothes were made of wool, which the moth loves to eat; and even the richest persons had difficulty protecting their clothes from the insects.

Isaiah 51:8 [8]For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations."

Wealth was also often held in grain, and. Brôsis (rust) literally means “an eating,” as in and is reference to grain that is eaten by rats, mice, worms, and insects.

Quote: One author put these two elements of “Moth & Rust” together and said that they: “represent all those (natural) agencies and process that cause earthly treasures to diminish in value and finally to cease completely to serve their purposes. Thus, bread becomes moldy (Josh. 9:5) garments wear out (Ps. 102:26) fields (particularly neglected ones) become weed-infested (Prov. 24:30), walls and fences break down (Prov. 24:31) roofs cave in so that houses begin to leak (Eccl. 10:18); and gold and silver become tarnished and perish (1 Peter 1:7; 18). Add the havoc brought about be termites, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, plant diseases, soul erosion, etc. The list is almost endless”. (William Hendriksen: Matthew: New Testament Commentary. Baker Book House. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 2004. p.344) .

Quote: It is a poor bargain which exchanges the eternal for the temporal, regardless of how much tinsel is used to make the temporal more attractive. (D.A. Carson: Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Global Christian Publishers. Grand Rapids, MI. 1999. p.82).

John 6:27 [27]Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." (ESV)