With glassy-eyed acknowledgment, many might casually nod agreement that we need to lay up treasure in heaven.  Yet Jesus’ correlating teachings in the Sermon on the Mount can startle such lethargy out of slumber.

While sitting on a mountainside, Jesus exposed our hearts. His unspoken question is simple. Where is your treasure? Matthew 6:19-24

We will treasure whatever we believe takes care of them. We will love, serve and worship whatever we treasure. Many will love and serve the created order. They store up treasure on earth.

For others, God is their source of security and significance. Their love for God leads them to store treasure in heaven.

Jesus words rip off our shallow veneers and self-deluding rationalizations. Our hearts reveal our treasure.

He has left us no room for taking solace in "at least I’m laying up some treasure in heaven." Our treasure provides our life-focus. If our focus is healthy, then our entire life will be healthy and on track. If, however, our focus is misguided, then our entire life is shrouded in darkness!

According to Jesus, our focus is either good or bad. We either are or we are not laying up treasure in heaven.  To listen to him there is no grey or middle ground. It is either light or darkness.

To further solidify this stark dichotomy, he said,  "it is impossible to serve two masters." Jesus denied the possibility of hedging our bets by laying up treasure on both earth and in heaven. Either we live with the right focus or we do not. Either we love and serve God or we do not. It is not possible for our hearts to serve both God and the created order. It is not possible to lay up treasure both here and in heaven.

The bottom line should be clear. Discipleship is not like an insurance policy that will not impact our lifestyle. Discipleship involves a transfer of allegiance, love, and worship to God and his kingdom. Accordingly, to treasure God will transform our hearts impacting our behaviors. This includes how we treat our fellow human being who is in need.

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Barry Newton

Barry has worked with congregations in Texas, California and Brazil. He and his wife Sofia have two sons. He believes we should love God above all and that to honor this principle will shape daily decisions and silence competing values. Furthermore, we ought to love people in those ways we would like to be treated.

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