Day 10 — Where Your Treasure Is

“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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

— Matthew 6:19–21 (BSB)

Think back to the toy you wanted most when you were five years old. Maybe you begged for it for months. Maybe you thought about it every day. And then you finally got it!

Where is that toy now? Is it broken? Lost? Stuffed in the back of a closet? Given away? Most likely, you barely think about it anymore.

That’s what Jesus is talking about. “Treasures on earth” are the things of this world: toys, clothes, games, money, phones and stuff. Jesus says these things don’t last. “Moth and rust destroy” them. Things wear out, break down, go out of style or get stolen. Someday, all of it will be gone.

But there’s another kind of treasure: “treasures in heaven.” Those are things that last forever. Things like:

• Loving God and knowing Him.
• Loving people and helping them.
• Telling others about Jesus.
• Being generous and giving to people in need.
• Growing to be more like Jesus.

Nothing can destroy those treasures. They last for all eternity.

Then Jesus says something really important: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Whatever you treasure most is what your heart will care about most. If your biggest treasure is stuff, your heart will be all about getting more stuff. If your biggest treasure is God and His kingdom, your heart will be all about Him.

Money and things aren’t bad. God gives us good things to enjoy! But they make a terrible master. The question is: What’s your biggest treasure?

One way to find out: What do you think about most? What do you spend your money and time on? What would upset you most if you lost it?

Think about it: What are your “treasures on earth”? What are some “treasures in heaven” you could store up?

Try this: Give away something you own that you don’t really use anymore, to someone who could use it. Or give some of your money to help someone in need.

Dear Jesus, help me not to love stuff more than I love You. Help me store up treasures in heaven by loving You, loving others and being generous. Let my heart be all about You. In Your name, Amen.