Matthew 6:19-21
“19 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.”
Spring is in the air in South Florida, and this often translates into Spring cleaning.
A friend of mine is cleaning out her closet, and it’s a big deal for her because she’s kind of a hoarder…
You see, she’s been buying clothes, shoes and accessories for years, even decades. Most of which she will never wear. And, she’s not happy about it – Anymore.
So today, why not use the words of Jesus to take a hard look at where our treasure truly lies. In a world that constantly tells us to get more, keep more, and protect more, Jesus calls us in the Sermon on the Mount to a different way — a better way — a heavenly way. So, let’s hear the Spirit speak to our hearts about not hoarding, but instead living with open hands, open hearts, and an eternal vision.
1. Earthly Treasure is Temporary
Jesus begins with a warning: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.”
Why?
Because earthly treasures are vulnerable. Moths destroy fine clothing. Vermin ruin grain stored in barns. Thieves break in and steal precious goods. In Jesus’ time, wealth was stored in fabrics, metals, and produce — all things that were fragile and insecure. And though today our “treasures” may look different — bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, collectibles — they remain just as temporary.
The truth is: nothing we accumulate here will last forever.
The newest car will one day rust. The grandest house will one day crumble. Even our savings can vanish in an economic downturn. Hoarding earthly treasures builds a foundation on sand, not rock. It gives us a false sense of security, tempting us to trust in what is fading instead of the One who is eternal.
2. The Heart Follows the Treasure
Jesus then says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This is a profound truth. Wherever we place our treasure — our time, our energy, our resources — our heart will soon follow. If our treasure is piled up in earthly things, our hearts will be tangled in anxiety, selfishness, and fear of loss. But if our treasure is in heavenly things, our hearts will be anchored in love, peace, and hope.
You see, hoarding is not just a physical act; it’s a spiritual condition.
It’s an act of misplaced worship. It reveals that we are trusting more in what we own than who owns us. It shows that our hearts are attached to this world rather than longing for the Kingdom of God.
Think about it: when we hoard, we tighten our fists around what we think we control. But in doing so, we close ourselves off from the life God wants to give us — a life of generosity, freedom, and abundance in Him.
3. Storing Up Treasure in Heaven
Jesus offers us a better investment plan: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
What does that mean?
It means living for things that last forever.
It means investing in people, not possessions.
It means giving generously to the poor, supporting missions, loving your neighbor, forgiving those who wrong you, and serving those in need.
When we store up treasure in heaven, we participate in God’s Kingdom work.
Every act of kindness, every sacrifice made in love, every moment spent in worship — these are treasures moths cannot destroy, vermin cannot touch, and thieves cannot steal. These are treasures that will endure eternally.
God is not against wealth.
He is against wasted wealth, selfish wealth, hoarded wealth that never fulfills its true purpose. Wealth is a tool for Kingdom work, not a god to be served.
4. Living with Open Hands
How then should we live?
We must live with open hands.
Instead of clutching our possessions, we offer them to God. Instead of fearing loss, we trust in His provision. Instead of hoarding, we share freely, knowing that God is the true source of every good thing we have.
The early church lived this way. In Acts 2, we see believers sharing everything in common, making sure no one among them was in need. They understood that to follow Christ was to release earthly attachments and trust in His endless grace.
We are stewards, not owners.
Everything we have — our money, our homes, our talents — has been entrusted to us for a season. Our call is to manage these blessings wisely and generously, always remembering they belong to God.
Hoarding earthly treasures will leave us empty in the end. But living for Christ, storing up treasures in heaven, fills our hearts with eternal joy.
Let’s not live like misers, clinging to dust.
Let’s live like citizens of heaven, investing in the things that truly matter.
May our treasure be found in Christ.
May our hearts be drawn upward, not anchored downward.
And may our lives shine with the beauty of open hands and generous hearts.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
To God be all the glory, now and forever.
Were you able to glean and grow from this message so God can be further glorified and His Kingdom magnified? If so, I would love to hear from you. Follow this link to get in touch… Let’s pray!
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that true treasure is found in You alone.
Forgive us for the times we have clung too tightly to the things of this world.
Teach us to live with open hands and generous hearts, trusting fully in Your provision.
Help us to store up treasures in heaven — treasures that last forever.
May our hearts always follow You, our greatest and most precious treasure.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
