“Lay Hold, Lay Aside & Lay Up” - Part 3: Lay Up“

“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)

The words we read today from Matthew 6 were spoken by Jesus. Jesus is not stating a theory, opinion or assumption… He speaks as one who had lived in heaven and on earth. Based on that, Jesus tells us where and where not to invest our lives. The counsel given in this one passage of scripture is relevant and applicable regardless of country, culture or economy.

1. The Treasures of Which Jesus Speaks Are Non-Transferable: Lay up for yourselves….

No one can lay up treasures in heaven for me. Parents can’t for children, wives can’t for husbands, nor husband for wives. Neither priest, prophet nor preacher can lay up treasures in heaven for others. As much as we may love or be loved… we can’t lay up treasures in heaven for others nor can they for us. In the same way…. we are each responsible and accountable for the laying up of treasures in heaven and will someday stand before God as one who DID or DID NOT lay up treasures in heaven. We will give account as to what we did and for what we didn’t do that we could have done. Throughout human history, many intelligent people, many gifted, talented and celebrated people have laid up treasures on earth but, none in heaven.

2. Jesus Reveals The Difference In Treasures On Earth And Treasures In Heaven: 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. On earth, that which is new will become old and that which is saved and stored can be stolen. The values of earthly treasures are volatile and vacillating… NOT SO IN HEAVEN. Our spiritual treasures, our Kingdom investments are safe, solid, sound and secure.

3. Jesus Explains Why It’s Imperative That We Lay Up Treasures in Heaven: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Simply put- what we value will have our love/heart. It can also be said that what we love…. what is important to us is what we will invest our time, money and life in.

An unsaved world says the Christian’s giving of time and money to the Church and its mission, is a huge waste-------as they say, “One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure”!