What does Matthew 6:20 teach about earthly versus heavenly priorities? The Heart of the Verse “ ‘But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.’ ” (Matthew 6:20) Context in the Sermon • Matthew 6:19-24 contrasts two treasuries, two eyes, and two masters. • Jesus has just warned against hoarding earthly wealth (v. 19) and will soon insist that “you cannot serve God and money” (v. 24). • The flow shows that what we treasure inevitably steers our hearts (v. 21). Why Earthly Treasures Disappoint • Moths: clothing, even luxury garments, decay. • Rust: metal tools and coins corrode. • Thieves: the richest estates are vulnerable to loss. • Every example is literal and universal—material assets are always subject to entropy and theft (see Proverbs 23:4-5). Why Heavenly Treasures Endure • No decay: “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). • No theft: guarded by God’s own power (John 10:28-29). • Eternal value: good works “follow” the believer into eternity (Revelation 14:13). • Rewarded by the Father who “sees in secret” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). What Counts as Heavenly Treasure? • Generous giving to those in need (Luke 12:33; 1 Timothy 6:18-19). • Acts of obedience motivated by love for Christ (John 14:21). • Faithful stewardship of talents, time, and influence (Matthew 25:20-23). • Evangelism and discipleship—souls rescued for eternity (Philippians 4:1). • Persistent, sincere prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:6, 18). Practical Ways to Store Up Treasure in Heaven • Budget kingdom first: set aside a “firstfruits” portion before spending anything else (Proverbs 3:9). • Simplify possessions: sell surplus and invest in gospel work (Luke 19:8). • Serve unseen: volunteer where applause is unlikely; the Father sees (Colossians 3:23-24). • Fix daily focus: “Set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2); let Scripture reading and worship realign priorities. • Measure wealth by eternal impact, not account balances. What This Means for Everyday Decisions • Purchases: ask, “Will this still matter a million years from now?” • Ambitions: career moves are evaluated by kingdom usefulness, not merely salary. • Relationships: invest time in family and church because people, not possessions, cross the threshold into eternity. Supporting Passages • 1 Timothy 6:17-19—command the rich to be generous, “storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future.” • Hebrews 10:34—you “joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession.” • Luke 16:9—use worldly wealth to “make friends for yourselves” so you’ll be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Takeaway Matthew 6:20 calls every believer to an intentional, lifestyle shift: move resources, attention, and affection from what cannot last to what cannot fail. Earthly assets make poor masters; heavenly treasures make rich saints. |
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