The Scripture has much to say about money. In fact, there are more verses in the Bible dealing with money and material possessions than with the subjects of heaven and hell combined. This is an important topic in the Christian life, one which deserves serious attention from the individual who desires to serve and please God.
The Lord Jesus had much to say about money. On one occasion in what we know as “The Sermon on the Mount,” He indicated that our primary focus should be to store up treasures in heaven. Listen to His penetrating words from Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
It is interesting that Christ provided several reasons why we are to store up treasures in heaven. There, they are safe. They cannot be destroyed by fire or flood. Nor can they be stolen. Even inflation will not take a toll on treasures stored in heaven.
But Jesus went on to say that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. He realized (as we should) that what we hold dear and what we place value upon will be uppermost in our minds. He also realized (as we should) that the location of our prized possessions will be what occupies our attention.
Randy Alcorn wrote, "What does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven instead of on earth? It means that Christ offers us the incredible opportunity to trade earthly goods and currency for eternal kingdom rewards. By putting our money and possessions in His treasury, we assure ourselves of eternal rewards beyond our comprehension."
The old spiritual is true: “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through.” For the child of God, the individual whose faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, this world is just a temporary abode. It is just a stopping off place on the journey of life. That’s why the Scripture describes Christians as “aliens and strangers.” Our real home — our final destination — is heaven.
That’s why Jesus admonished us to store up our treasures there. Please do not misunderstand what He said. There’s nothing wrong with saving here on earth. There is nothing wrong with earning interest on investments. There is nothing wrong with being a wise steward in planning for the future. In fact, Jesus taught that those who do so are to be commended. Certainly, of all people, we who are Christians ought to be good managers of what God has entrusted to us. But that kind of fiscal responsibility is truly secondary to what really counts: Investing for time and eternity.
In the first part of the 20th century, a businessman named Mr. Jarmin gave away tens of thousands of dollars to the Lord’s work. Then, through severe business reversals, he lost everything he had. When asked if he ever thought about the money he had given away, he said, “Yes, I think about it a lot. It’s the only thing I have left now.”
Similarly, A.W. Tozer wrote, "As base a thing as money often is, it yet can be transformed into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor; it can keep a missionary actively winning people to the light of the gospel and thus transform itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality."
Why do we love Christ? Because He first loved us. Why do we give to Him? Because He has given so much to us. Whether it concerns giving or anything else we do in the Christian life, we do what we do as a demonstration of our love for Christ, the one who first loved us.
Next week, as part of our annual stewardship emphasis, we’ll consider how we invest for eternity. Until then, please think about this statement by the owner of a major downtown department store: Giving to the Lord is but transporting our goods to a higher floor.
