Storing Up Treasure in Heaven The call to true treasure “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). Jesus speaks plainly and tenderly. He redirects the heart, not away from treasure, but toward the only treasure that lasts. This is not vague poetry. It is a command with a promise, calling for a reordering of priorities under His lordship. The same Lord assures provision when we put His reign first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The path of obedience becomes the path of rest, even as we labor. What heavenly treasure is Heavenly treasure is concrete in Scripture. It is what God preserves, rewards, and unveils in the age to come, secured by Christ and stewarded by His people now. It includes both what God gives and what God commends. It is Christ-centered reward, not self-centered gain. - An imperishable inheritance “reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). - The Lord’s commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matthew 25:21). - Reward from Christ Himself: “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me” (Revelation 22:12). - People as our crown in the Lord’s presence (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20). - The inheritance as a reward from the Lord (Colossians 3:24). - God’s praise at the final unveiling: “Then each will receive his praise from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Saved by grace, rewarded for faithfulness Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Works do not earn justification, but they do demonstrate living faith and will be evaluated for reward. God prepared these good works for us to walk in them (Ephesians 2:8–10). Scripture distinguishes the foundation from the building. Christ is the only foundation. Our works will be tested, and “he will receive a reward,” or “he will suffer loss” (1 Corinthians 3:12–15). Every believer will stand before Christ to give an account (Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Investing daily in what lasts Storing treasure in heaven happens in the ordinary obedience of today. The Spirit makes faithfulness fruitful and enduring. - Worship and wholehearted devotion (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 12:1–2). - Scripture and prayer that shape life and love (Psalm 119; Jude 20–21). - Personal holiness in body and heart (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 1 Peter 1:14–16). - Gospel witness in word and deed (Acts 20:24; Philippians 1:27). - Discipling believers toward maturity (Matthew 28:19–20; Colossians 1:28–29). - Generosity, mercy, and hospitality (Hebrews 6:10; Galatians 6:9–10; 1 Peter 4:9). - Faithful vocation as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23–24). - Endurance in trials with joy and integrity (James 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:58). Even the smallest act in Jesus’ name matters. “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). Money as a tool, not a master Wealth is a servant when surrendered to Christ. “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God” (1 Timothy 6:17). Christ alone secures the heart. Money can move eternal good when it fuels gospel mission, relieves need, and strengthens churches. “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:14). God loves the cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), and He takes kindness to the poor as a loan to Himself (Proverbs 19:17). Motives matter The Lord weighs the heart. He sees what others miss and rewards what He approves. “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4). Hidden faithfulness is never lost. - Refuse the applause of man in giving, praying, and serving (Matthew 6:1–6). - Aim to please Christ at every turn (2 Corinthians 5:9). - Rest in the Lord’s final judgment of motives and works (1 Corinthians 4:5). Suffering and secret faithfulness Suffering for Christ is not wasted. It is seed for glory. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial… he will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12). “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12). Unseen obedience carries eternal weight. The Father remembers the hidden labor of love (Hebrews 6:10). The tested genuineness of faith will result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6–7). - Unseen intercession for the lost and the church. - Quiet integrity when no one is watching. - Patient discipleship at home and in the congregation. - Joyful acceptance of loss for Christ’s name (Hebrews 10:34). The coming reckoning and joy The King is near. “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). He will repay each according to his works (Matthew 16:27). For the faithful there is a crown and a kingdom. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness is laid up for me… and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8). The inheritance is imperishable and kept (1 Peter 1:4). The entrance into the eternal kingdom “will be richly supplied to you” (2 Peter 1:11). Running with a clear aim Grace sets the pace and direction. “Run in such a way as to win the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Christ secures eternal life, and He secures eternal reward for faithful service. “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Simple next steps help hearts and habits align. 1) Recalibrate the heart with Matthew 6:19–21 each morning for the next month. 2) Set a generosity plan that stretches faith and advances gospel work (1 Timothy 6:17–19; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8). 3) Identify two people to evangelize and two believers to intentionally disciple this quarter (1 Thessalonians 2:8; Matthew 28:19–20). 4) Build a weekly rhythm of hidden prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). 5) Offer your work afresh to Christ and pursue excellence as worship (Colossians 3:23–24). 6) Simplify possessions to free margin for mission (Luke 12:33–34). 7) Embrace trials with hope, recalling the promised crown (James 1:12; Romans 8:18). Assurance and reward held together Christ keeps His own. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). This assurance does not dull diligence. It fuels it, because the same Lord will call each of us to account (Romans 14:12), and He delights to reward what His grace empowers. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Nothing done for Christ will be lost. Believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ for evaluation and reward (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10–12). Works will be tested by fire; if they endure, “he will receive a reward,” if burned up, “he will suffer loss… He himself will be saved” (1 Corinthians 3:14–15). Salvation stands on Christ alone. Rewards reflect Spirit-enabled faithfulness. Crowns and commendation Scripture speaks of crowns as real honors granted by Christ. - Crown of righteousness for loving His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). - Crown of life for persevering under trial (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). - Crown of glory for faithful shepherding (1 Peter 5:4). - Souls as a crown of boasting in Christ’s presence (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20). Degrees of reward, one salvation Parables and promises indicate differing rewards with the same eternal life (Luke 19:17; Matthew 25:21, 23). Faithfulness with little leads to larger stewardship. All glory remains God’s, and all reward magnifies grace. What can be lost, what cannot - Cannot be lost: eternal life secured by Christ (John 10:28). - Can be lost: opportunities, fruitfulness, and reward (2 John 8; 1 Corinthians 3:15). Motivation without pride Seeking God’s reward is obedience, not selfishness. “He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). The aim is God’s pleasure, not man’s praise (Matthew 6:1–4; 1 Corinthians 4:5). Money, risk, and wise stewardship Faithful stewardship takes wise risks for the Master’s interests (Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 19:11–27). Hoarding suffocates mission; wise planning fuels it. Use worldly wealth to advance eternal good (Luke 16:9), while refusing to serve money (Matthew 6:24). Vocation, calling, and the ordinary Every calling becomes sacred when offered to Christ. Work heartily for the Lord with integrity, excellence, and love (Colossians 3:23–24). The ordinary becomes weighty when shaped by the Word and aimed at the kingdom. Suffering, honor, and future joy Loss for Christ becomes gain in His presence (Hebrews 10:34). Glory outweighs present pain (Romans 8:18). Trials proved faithful will result in praise, glory, and honor at His unveiling (1 Peter 1:6–7). Texts to study this month - Matthew 5–7; 6:19–34; 10:32–42; 16:24–27; 25:14–46 - Luke 12; 14:7–14; 16:1–13; 19:11–27 - John 10:22–30; 15:1–17 - Romans 8; 12; 14:7–12 - 1 Corinthians 3; 4:1–5; 9:24–27; 15:58 - 2 Corinthians 5:1–10; 8–9 - Ephesians 2:1–10; 6:5–9 - Colossians 3:1–4, 12–25 - 1 Thessalonians 2:1–20; 4:13–18 - Hebrews 6:9–12; 10:32–39; 11 - James 1; 2:14–26 - 1 Peter 1:3–9; 5:1–4 - Revelation 2–3; 14:13; 19; 22:12 Church practices that store treasure - Word-centered worship and prayer that seek God’s presence and pleasure. - Intentional disciple-making pathways that multiply gospel workers. - Generous budgeting toward the unreached, the poor, and church planting. - Member-care rhythms that honor unseen service and sustain weary saints. - Leadership that prizes faithfulness over flash and integrity over image. Finishing well “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). By grace, run to hear, “Well done.” By grace, live so that what follows you will shine forever in the joy of your Master. |
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