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Commands of Christ

Lay Up Treasures

Where is this command found?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Matthew 6:19–21

Applying This Command

In an earthly kingdom, the value of currency or “treasure” is largely determined by the economy of that kingdom. In a similar way, God is the One that determines what is of eternal value in His kingdom. This is why secret disciplines such as giving, praying and fasting before the Lord are of great value. Practicing these disciplines is a practical way of storing up treasure in Heaven.

As a follower of Christ on this earth, it is easy to forget that our true treasure should be laid up in Heaven. If we are not careful to guard our focus, our heart will begin to value temporal things. By doing so, we will lose sight of eternity and God’s perspective on what is valuable.

But, the opposite is true. If we choose to seek the Lord, meditate on His Word, and invest in His Kingdom, God will exchange our value system with His. We will begin to treasure Heavenly things, and our heart’s desire will soon follow. Investing in the treasures of God will direct our heart to Himself and cause us in turn to lay up treasures in Heaven.

Bible Verses for Meditation

In addition to meditating on Matthew 6:19–21, meditation on the verses below will provide you with further insight and understanding of Christ’s command: Lay Up Treasures.

II Corinthians 4:18

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

I Timothy 6:17–19

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

I John 2:15

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Proverbs 23:5

“Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

Matthew 19:21

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

Related Episodes

From the Podcast

Dive deeper into the command Lay Up Treasures with these episodes from the Commands of Christ podcast!

Study Question

Q: Why did God preserve His holy Scriptures down through the centuries but allow His holy Temple to be robbed of its treasures and destroyed?

A: The Temple that Solomon built for the praise and glory of God was a magnificent treasure in the world. It was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high, and was overlaid with gold that had been gathered by David and others.

The magnificent treasures in the Temple began to be plundered in the reign of Solomon’s son. (See I Kings 14:25–26.) King Asa further plundered the Temple by taking all the silver and gold out of it and using it to form a military league with the king of Syria.

Later, Nebuchadnezzar came and took away to Babylon all the gold and silver vessels, and eventually destroyed the Temple. Why did God allow this to happen? When Solomon dedicated the Temple, God made a conditional covenant with him. “I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice … But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods … Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight” (see II Chronicles 7:12–22).

Israel’s continual straying from the laws and ways of the Lord resulted in not only the destruction of the Temple, but also the scattering of God’s people throughout the world. In God’s eyes, the function of the Temple officially ended when Jesus Christ died. The veil that separated the holy place and the most holy was rent from top to bottom, signifying that there was no longer a division between God and His people. (See Matthew 27:51.) We now have direct access to God’s throne through the finished work of Jesus Christ, Who paid the price for our sins. Each one who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and confesses Him as Savior becomes a “temple” of God. It is through this temple that one is able to build treasures that will stand the test of God’s fires and last throughout eternity. (See I Corinthians 3:9–16.)

For Further Study

You can learn more about the command Lay Up Treasures in the book Commands of Christ: Series 2.

Other Resources

Get a FREE study guide download for this command!

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