Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20
58 percent of Americans have less than $1000 in Savings. 21 percent of Americans don’t save any of their annual income. Although financial experts generally recommend earmarking 10 to 20 percent of your income just for retirement savings, just 16 percent of Americans are saving more than 15 percent of their income.
As important as it is to have a savings plan for retirement, it is more important to have an eternal savings plan. I believe parents should pass on wealth to their children. They should have a wise financial plan to store up treasures for their families. Parents should have conversations with their children about financial planning and encourage them to have their own savings plan.
In today’s text, Jesus is encouraging his followers to invest in a heavenly savings plan. Jesus is not saying that people should not have a financial savings plan. What he is talking about is trust and confidence in God instead of material things. Jesus wants his followers to prioritize their kingdom work over the pursuit of material possession. He understood that everything material is fleeting and perishable. Only what we do for God will last.
What type of treasures can we store up in heaven? Acts of random kindness, mercy, love, patience, service to God and others, worship, and proclamation of the gospel. It is for those things that our Father in heaven will reward us when we transition to glory.
On a practical level, Jesus is exhorting people of this time to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. He wants us to be as focused on kingdom service as we are about protecting our 401K. He is reminding us to invest in God’s kingdom economy with our time, talent, and treasure.
When we give our tithes and offerings to the house of God, we are storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Some people do not tithe because they want to save their money in their bank account. What Jesus is saying in today’s text is to do the opposite. He wants us to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven by giving our tithes. We will not be able to take our money with us when we die. It is our gifts to the kingdom of God that will echo into eternity.
I am always perplexed by individuals that are too busy to serve in their local church, or too stingy to trust God with their tithe. Heaven has the best savings plan. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” God guarantees an eternal reward for any investment made to his kingdom.
Everyone can participate in God’s heavenly savings plan. All that is required is a spirit of obedience and a heart full of love for others and God. If you are in the position to bless someone financially, do so cheerfully to the glory of God. The return for that act of kindness from God will be far greater than the return you could get from a bank.
Perhaps you have some designer clothes that you are no longer using, or some shoes, or handbags, or suits, or even an older car. Don’t let it moth eat those clothes or rust destroy that car in your garage. Find a needy brother and sister to bless. In doing so, you will be storing up treasures in heaven.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please help us to store up treasures in heaven as we share of your bounty with others in need.
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