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
proposed changes seem designed to preserve their own power rather than open doors
for others. Why would someone want to change the system that made them rich, yet
prevent others from benefiting in the same way?
The answer, I believe, lies in power. Wealth brings influence. Many billionaires enjoy
the freedom and status their fortune affords, but they also seek to protect their position
by limiting others’ access to similar opportunities. This attitude reflects a deeper issue—
one that Jesus addresses in His teachings.
In Jesus’ day, the economy was largely zero-sum: if one person gained wealth, it often
meant someone else lost it. Those who had wealth flaunted it and exploited those who
didn’t. Against this backdrop, Jesus taught that we should trust God for our needs, and
if we have excess, we should use it to help others in their struggles.
This concept is difficult for many today, especially given how deeply government
systems and economic structures are woven into modern life. We also lack the kind of
community that existed in Jesus’ time. In small towns and villages, everyone was
connected—often by blood. It was like one large family. People helped each other.
When someone grew too old to work the fields, they were given tasks they could
manage around the home. No one sought to out-earn their cousins or neighbors. It was
a communal mindset, not a competitive one.
So when we read Scripture, we must consider the cultural context. Jesus’ message about
storing up treasures in heaven is clear. What’s less clear is what those treasures look like.
That ambiguity can make it hard for people to grasp what they’re “saving for.”
But perhaps the answer lies in righteous action. Yes, we must care for ourselves and
our families. But we must also ask: Can I help others? The answer, more often than not,
is yes. And it’s not just about money—it’s about volunteering, serving, and supporting
the work of others. When we do these things, we’re building heavenly treasure—a
righteousness that begins here and continues into eternity.
We may not know exactly what awaits us in heaven. But I’d rather take the path Jesus
laid out—investing in eternal things—than risk missing the point altogether. In the end,
it’s your choice: how will you follow the words and actions of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ?
