Lay Up Treasure in Heaven Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven How to lay up treasure in heaven

Matthew 6: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Background Solomon described the problem with material wealth – All is vanity Riches perish – can be lost – don't satisfy Treasure in heaven – can not be lost

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 1 Treasure on earth is insecure Moth and rust destory Thieves can steal Loss – inflation, stocks down, bankruptcy

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 1 Treasure on earth is insecure Moth and rust destory Thieves can steal Loss – inflation, stocks down, bankruptcy 2 Treasure in heaven is secure Treasure is not destroyed Thieves cannot steal

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 3 Our treasure is where our heart will be Heart = Affections, Hopes, Dreams Heart on earth = material things Heart in heaven = focus on the spiritual Colossians 3:1-21 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 4 To keep our eye good Matthew 6: "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 4 To keep our eye good Matthew 6:22-23 Body = the soul, spirit or inner man Eye = the gaze of the soul or heart of man Good = simple, single Bad = wicked, evil

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 4 To keep our eye good 4 To keep our eye goodMatthew 6:22-23 If the heart or gaze of the soul is good (single in it love for the things of God), then one is filled with light. If the heart or gaze of the soul is evil ( full of envy, covetousness), then one's soul is filled with darkness (selfishness, wickedness, falsehood).

Reasons to lay up treasure in heaven 5 To make God our Master Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. A master demands TOTAL loyalty Mammon = Aramaic for riches

How to lay up treasure in heaven 1 By giving to the poor 1 Timothy 6: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

How to lay up treasure in heaven 2 Not that eternal life can be purchased Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Salvation is by grace, not works We do good BECAUSE, not TO GET

Conclusion We are not called to asceticism God wants us to enjoy what we have He exepcts a heart of sharing, giving We are to work with our hands To care for our family – 1 Timothy 5:8 To help others in need – Ephesians 4:28

Conclusion Are you laying up treasure in heaven? Jesus told us WHY Jesus (and Paul) told us how