How can we store up treasures in heaven?

The Bible teaches that as followers of Christ, we are called to live with an eternal perspective and store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This article will examine what the Bible says about storing up heavenly treasures, why it matters, and how we can actively pursue treasures in heaven.

What are heavenly treasures?

When the Bible speaks of “treasures in heaven,” it is referring to spiritual riches, eternal rewards, and blessings from God that await believers in the afterlife. Earthly treasures such as money, possessions, status, and achievements have no lasting value in eternity. But spiritual treasures stored up in heaven are everlasting (Matthew 6:19-21).

Examples of heavenly treasures include things like:

• An intimate relationship with God (John 17:3)
• Rewards for serving Christ (Matthew 6:1-4, 1 Corinthians 3:8)
• Rewards for loving others (Mark 9:41)
• Rewards for persevering through trials (James 1:12)
• The joy of seeing others come to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
• Seeing Christ face to face (1 John 3:2)

In essence, heavenly treasures are eternal, spiritual blessings that come from pursing God and investing in his kingdom. While earthly treasures fade, these heavenly treasures last for eternity.

Why do heavenly treasures matter?

Storing up treasures in heaven should be a priority for several reasons:

1. Heavenly treasures have eternal value. Unlike earthly treasures, heavenly treasures will endure for eternity and cannot be destroyed (Matthew 6:19-21). Pursuing temporary, worldly treasures is futile compared to lasting spiritual riches.
2. Heavenly treasures reveal our heart’s true desires. Storing up earthly treasures reveals desires for this world, while storing heavenly treasures shows our heart is set on God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:21). Our priorities indicate what we truly love.
3. Heavenly treasures prepare us for eternity. Keeping an eternal perspective helps us live purposefully on earth in light of eternity. Pursuing heavenly treasures keeps us rooted in what will matter most (Matthew 6:20-21).
4. Heavenly treasures shape our earthly behavior. Setting our minds on heavenly rewards impacts how we live today. It motivates godliness and selfless behavior for the sake of eternal blessings (Colossians 3:1-4).
5. Heavenly treasures lead us to use resources wisely. Valuing spiritual treasures helps us steward money and possessions in prudent, generous ways instead of self-indulgent ones (Matthew 6:19-21).
6. Heavenly treasures will bring eternal joy. At the end of our lives, earthly treasures stay behind and only our spiritual treasures accompany us into eternity. These will become our joy for all time (Matthew 25:21).

God invites us to live with an eternal mindset, recognizing that how we spend our time, talents, treasures, and relationships directly impacts our eternal reward and standing. When our eyes are fixed on heaven, it transforms all of life on earth.

How can we store up heavenly treasures?

The Bible offers practical guidance on how we can actively store up eternal treasures day to day:

1. Repent and trust in Christ for salvation. Our greatest heavenly treasure is an eternity with God in heaven. This only comes through repentance and faith in Christ (John 3:16).
2. Set your mind and heart on Christ. Keep your focus on Jesus and things above rather than earthly desires. Let his values shape your priorities daily (Colossians 3:1-4).
3. Obey and serve God wholeheartedly. Follow God’s Word in how you live. Say “yes” to what He asks of you. Serve Him with your time, talents, and treasures (Colossians 3:23-24).
4. Live righteously and pursue holiness. Honor God in your choices, words, attitudes, and actions. Pursue moral excellence through the Spirit’s empowering (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
5. Store up your wealth generously in heaven. Use money, possessions, and resources to love others and fuel ministry. Give generously to further God’s kingdom (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
6. Invest in people spiritually. Share Christ’s love. Make disciples. Encourage spiritual growth in others through teaching, exhorting, and praying (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
7. Persevere through trials. Endure suffering faithfully. Let hard times refine your faith and bring you closer to Christ (James 1:12).
8. Pursue humility. Embrace humility and service now for the sake of exaltation in eternity (Matthew 23:11-12).
9. Anticipate Christ’s return. Stay alert and keep your hope fixed on Christ’s return and the reward of His kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13).

Each day presents opportunities to store up treasures in heaven. As we walk with Christ, love others, give generously, serve wholeheartedly, and hope expectantly, we can joyfully accumulate true riches in eternity.

Barriers that keep us from heavenly treasures

While God enables us to store up heavenly treasures, our human tendencies often steer us toward pursuing worldly treasures instead. Common barriers that keep us from eternal riches include:

• Love of money and possessions (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
• Pride and desire for earthly status (Jeremiah 45:5)
• Fear of man and wanting human praise (John 5:44)
• Worldly pleasures that distract from God’s kingdom (Luke 8:14)
• Unbelief that disregards coming judgment (2 Peter 3:3-4)
• Self-sufficiency and lack of reliance on God (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Hypocrisy and outward religion with unrepentant sin (Matthew 23:25-28)
• Idolatry by valuing anything above Christ (Exodus 20:3-6)
• Short-sightedness and failing to consider eternity (Psalm 90:12)

We must vigilantly fight these tendencies through repentance, Spirit-empowered obedience, godly wisdom, and constant focus on Christ and the world to come. As we do, we can break free of earthly shackles and lay hold of wondrous heavenly treasures.

Storing up Heavenly Treasures Brings Eternal Rewards

While storing up heavenly treasures comes at a cost as we sacrifice earthly comforts and ambitions, Scripture assures us it brings wondrous eternal rewards including:

• The joy of God’s presence (Psalm 16:11)
• A lasting inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5)
• Crowns of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)
• Reigning with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12)
• Special glory and honor from Christ (1 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 25:21)
• New name and stone signifying God’s approval (Revelation 2:17)
• Enduring treasures that can’t be lost (Matthew 6:20)
• Blessings and “well done” from Christ (Matthew 25:21)
• Eternal riches in God’s glory (Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:27)

What awaits those who faithfully store up treasures in heaven far exceeds anything this fleeting world offers. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain, but rather stores up “what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Examples of People Who Pursued Heavenly Treasures

Many biblical figures stand out as examples of those who forsook earthly treasures for the sake of greater eternal treasures.

• Abraham – By faith Abraham obeyed God’s call to leave his homeland and inherit the heavenly city to come (Hebrews 11:8-10)
• Moses – Moses left worldly comforts in Egypt to suffer with God’s people for greater reward (Hebrews 11:25-26)
• David – Despite chances for earthly fame, David developed a heart for God over status (Acts 13:22)
• Daniel – Daniel boldly obeyed God for eternal rewards rather than earthly safety (Daniel 1:8, Hebrews 11:33-34)
• Jesus – Christ continually chose the Father’s eternal kingdom over His own earthly desires (John 6:38)
• Paul – Paul suffered the loss of everything to gain Christ and eternal riches (Philippians 3:8)
• Peter – Peter left all he had to follow Christ for the greater reward (Matthew 19:27-29)

These heroes of the faith modeled radical obedience, sacrifice, and endurance as they fixed their eyes on eternal rewards. They call us to do the same.

Storing Up Heavenly Treasures Requires Faith and Perseverance

Since heavenly rewards remain unseen for now, storing them requires operating in faith and persevering through difficulty. As Scripture reminds us:

• “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
• “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
• “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Pursuing lasting spiritual treasures in heaven requires believing God’s promises despite this world’s misleading rewards and distractions. It requires fighting through weariness, disappointment, delayed answers to prayer, persecution, and trials. But the eternal rewards are so glorious and satisfying they are worth whatever earthly sacrifices we make.

Storing Up Treasures for Eternity

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently than the world by investing our time, talents, and treasures in pursuing eternal rewards rather than fleeting earthly achievements. Though journeying the path of sacrifice and service often brings adversity, it results in unimaginable blessing.

May we all hear Christ’s words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). There is no greater treasure than this eternal commendation from the King.