Matthew 6:20
A man was fearful during a time of national economic difficulty. The stock market was declining. Banks were closing and hard times were obvious. He withdrew thousands of dollars to buy gold coins. The man no longer trusted his bank nor his investments in the stock market. He took thousands of gold coins to package them and bury them on his property. He later became so upset about the economy that he had a heart attack and died. His treasures were buried and his wife and family had no idea where to look. Treasures on earth are always passing away. Treasures in heaven are eternal.
The believer's treasures in heaven are all found in Christ. These words I read many years ago: "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." Our treasures in heaven through Christ are eternally secure. And what are those treasures? We have the hope of eternal life, a glorified body fashioned like unto that of the risen Christ, love that is everlasting which even death cannot separate from us, reunion with our believing loved ones who have gone before us, and much, much more. It includes much treasure that our eyes have not seen and our ears have not heard.
How do we lay up treasures in heaven? It can only be done by faith and hope in Jesus Christ. The risen Christ is in heaven for us. All of our treasures in heaven are in Christ alone. When people leave this world, they die in hope or without hope. Unbelief must honestly confess, "My hope is in myself alone and it is in this world only." Faith may confess, "My hope is in Christ alone and death cannot destroy it."
Father, we receive, by faith and hope, treasures in Christ.
