Where’s Your Treasure?

Tales still circulate today of $50,000 in English gold coins buried in the mountains of upstate New York during the French and Indian War. Who doesn’t love a good story of buried treasure?

In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks of treasures too, saying we’re not to store them up on earth, but in heaven: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also†(verse 21). Treasures are
what we value most—often what dominates our thoughts, hearts, and actions.

If our thoughts and hopes are centered on things other than Jesus, our lives will be plagued with worry and despair. Everything other than Christ is ultimately not dependable and—like moth or rust—is in a constant state of change and decay.

So how can God become what we treasure or value most? How can we rest in His promises when we’re tempted to find hope somewhere else?

1. Make Jesus the center. As Christians, Jesus is the center of our lives because the Holy Spirit is transforming us to be like Christ (Romans 8:9-14). We grow deeper in our knowledge of who He is through prayer and by studying His Word, the Bible—individually and with other Christians. So, as we go about our days—instead of letting sin-fueled, worry-driven choices steal hours of the day—we can focus on Jesus, the only One who can satisfy us.

2. Be mindful of His presence. Jesus is with us (Matthew 28:20). Remembering His presence helps us stay in tune with Him as He works in our lives.

3. Serve. Look for ways to love others. An important way to reflect God’s image is to love others through service to them (Matthew 22:36-40).

Jesus is our treasure, and that means all other treasures must be centered on who He is and what He has done. Otherwise, those treasures will become worthless. Therefore, the place to put our hope is in Jesus, the treasure in heaven. • Cheryl Elton

• What things does your heart treasure? Do you rely on these things more than on Jesus? When you’re tempted to find hope and security in your stuff, what promises from Jesus can you cling to (Hebrews 13:5-6)?

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Matthew 6:19-21, 31-34; Colossians 3:1-3