As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, I’m thankful that no hacker or thief can steal my riches…because they’re in heaven. Let’s unpack this concept based on what the Bible warns us not to do and what to do. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:19-21, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” In verse 24, Jesus continues and tells us that, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
So, what are “earthly treasures”? Treasure in the days when the Bible was written included gold, silver, precious stones, and grain, animals, and land. Today, in addition to those treasures we also have money—both physical and virtual—and stocks, bonds, and multiple possessions.
God knows our needs and everything comes from God.
The Bible also teaches that God knows every one of our individual needs and He is faithful to meet all of them. In Matthew 6:31-34, Jesus said, “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like pagans who are deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
In 1 Chronicles 29:14 David’s prayer of praise reminds us that everything comes from God. “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us!”
The treasures we can store in heaven.
We store treasures in heaven when we honor God with our wealth and understand that He owns it all. We are His stewards of everything He gives us while on earth. In Proverbs 3: 9 King Solomon advises us to Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.
When we acknowledge God’s ownership and give to His Kingdom purposes, he faithfully provides and blesses us abundantly. In Malachi 3:10 the prophet Malachi gives a message of repentance to God’s people. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!”
We store treasures in heaven when we give to the poor, help the widows, feed the children, and do good deeds in the name of Jesus. In the story of the rich man in Mark 10:17-22, the rich man asked Jesus, “what should I do to get eternal life?” The man told Jesus he was already obeying the ten commandments. So, Jesus told him, “You lack only one thing.” “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this, the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions. Unfortunately, this man’s heart was attached to his riches and he was not able to let them go.
We may never enjoy our earthly riches.
In Luke 12:16-21 Jesus gave an illustration about the “rich fool.” “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. So he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store everything. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Our time on earth is uncertain. So instead of storing wealth and riches here where we may not even enjoy it all, we should focus on building a rich relationship with God. Right before Jesus gave the crowd that illustration, He said in verse 15, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much you own.”
The reality is, like 1 Timothy 6:7 reminds us, that After all, we didn’t bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die.
This purpose of this message is not to discourage us. But to encourage us to make God our top priority in our lives and pursue a rich relationship with Him.
Generosity and giving are the antidote.
The key is to not get attached to riches and the antidote is to give to others—and give generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says to Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop… For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Conclusion.
Having money (or treasure) is not the problem or an issue with God. Loving and being attached to money is. If we store our treasures here on earth, we can lose them all, any day, any time. Instead, if we store our treasures in heaven, they will all be safe.
The reason why Jesus warns us is because when our hearts are attached to the riches, we are worried about losing them. Our thoughts become occupied with worry and stress about keeping everything safe. We end up loving money more than God. And For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). As we have witnessed through the years, the stock market is uncertain, virtual currency can be stolen or devalued overnight. The housing market is uncertain and “bubbles” in the market can leave us with no equity overnight too. Our entire life savings can be gone in one second.
God owns everything. We own nothing. Instead, we are stewards of everything God chooses to entrust each of us. Generosity and investing in the Kingdom of God will keep our hearts detached from the riches of this world. Understanding stewardship helps us to grow a rich relationship with God.
During this Thanksgiving season, thank God for everything He’s given you in your life—talents, money, possessions, family, friends, health. Enjoy being His child and His blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving!