![]() Entering through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13).Pursuing the things of God (Matthew 7:7).Not being unfairly judgmental, but someone who examines their own life and integrity first (Matthew 7:1, 5).Seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).Shunning worry, and trusting God to provide for your needs (Matthew 6:25).Prayer, and specifically praying for God’s name to be revered as holy and for his kingdom to come (Matthew 6:6ff.).Giving to the needy discreetly (Matthew 6:3).Praying for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).Providing for physical needs (Matthew 5:40, 42).Being faithful to one’s spouse (Matthew 5:28, 32).Following God’s commands (Matthew 5:19). ![]() Being the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).Being “the salt of the earth,” which is about, in part, preserving the flavour of godliness in the world and in our relationships (Matthew 5:13).Being persecuted for the sake of righteousness (Matthew 5:10).Hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).Being humble and pure in heart (Matthew 5:5, 8).I’m not suggesting this is a comprehensive list, but I think the list certainly includes these things. I’d like to highlight some of the teachings Jesus specifically mentions in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. With those motivators in mind, let’s focus on how storing up treasure in heaven looks. If we prioritize the right things, our lives will stay in the transformative footsteps of our risen Redeemer. ![]() If we prioritize the wrong things, our lives will go off the rails. ![]() Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” meaning that we will centre our lives around what we value most. It puts something other than God at the centre of our lives. Bonhoeffer explains that hoarding is idolatry. We start to organize our lives around them and spend money to maintain them. The more things we have, the more our things seem to have us. In The Cost of Discipleship, martyred German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned about the “thraldom of material things.” Third, the right kind of treasure-seeking moves us in the direction of material modesty and single-minded fidelity to the Lord. Treasures in heaven are treasures that no one can take from your car, bank account, wallet or house. We live in a passing world with passing fancies. Second, treasures in heaven are clearly treasures that last. A Few Reasonsįirst, Jesus tells us to do it, and what God’s Son says goes. Let’s look at a few of the reasons why this is a good idea before seeing how Jesus says we can store up heavenly treasure. So, what should we do? We should store up treasures in heaven. In the words of an old pastor, ‘You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.’ Clearly, we’re not supposed to store up earthly treasures. In verse 24, Jesus says that you cannot serve both God and money. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. The Sermon on the Mount includes many of Jesus’ most famous teachings, including this one:
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