Bible Studies

Are You Building Treasure in Heaven?

by Michael Edwards 
09/23/19
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"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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; Matthew 6:20 NAS

Think of God for a moment as your financial advisor. Before deciding on where to invest, He would ask you to consider where you will be spending your eternity, in this world, in heaven, or on a renewed earth. Then he would lay the investment options before your eyes. Investing in this world can bring you financial rewards, but there is no guarantee of a good return or that you won't lose everything. And, when you die, you cannot take any worldly riches with you. On the other hand, He suggests, you can invest in eternal things that cannot lose and are guaranteed to build incredible treasure in heaven that will be waiting for you when you arrive.

As a matter of fact, He commands us to do good, to be a light for the lost and also specifically so that we will have treasure layed up for ourselves for the coming age.  

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Tim 6:18-19 NIV

But it is your choice. 

So, you make your decision to start consciously investing in eternal things. Now, based on your choice, God presents you guaranteed investment opportunities on a daily basis.  

• Someone needs help, prayer, time, and love.


• There has been a natural disaster, and funds are needed to help.


• A friend needs encouragement in the faith.


• A lost friend needs to hear the gospel and see the love of Christ.


• A friend or neighbor needs financial help.


• Missionaries need help with finances.


• Your church needs volunteers for a project. 


• A friend needs a phone call and prayer.


• Someone needs the kindness of God to lead them to repentance.


• Someone needs grace and love instead of judgment and condemnation.


• The Holy Spirit calls you to stand up for the faith.


• Listen to and obey that still small voice, even when it is uncomfortable.


• Countless additional opportunities to be a bright light on a hill that leads people to Christ.

"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." Matt 10:42 NAS

What an amazing Father, not only does He allow, tell us, and encourage us to build treasure in heaven. He lays guaranteed investment opportunities before our eyes every day. Plus the more we give, the more He opens the windows of heaven for us, blessing us more so we can give more and build even more treasure in heaven. 

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Mal 3:10 NAS

God even tells us when to act. It may be a still small voice or a knowing. Or, like we often see with Jesus, compassion and love for a person is one of the strongest indicators that the Holy Spirit is actively present and wants to use us in a situation. If we feel strong compassion, we are being presented with a great opportunity to obey God and build treasure in heaven. God is calling us to place our love into action right away. God never uses guilt to motivate us to give or help. Guilt is our flesh and the enemy talking to us and not the Spirit. So we never act out of guilt. There is no guilt or condemnation in Christ, no matter what investment options I accept or reject. It is up to me how much treasure I want to have waiting for me.

I do what I do, with joy, because my eyes have been opened and I understand these opportunities are all gifts from my Father to build treasure in heaven. It really makes sense that He steers us to build treasure in heaven, where we can enjoy it for eternity.

I also now understand a very important aspect of building treasure in heaven. God wants our hearts focused on eternal, higher and loftier things. He wants our hearts, us, in heaven with Him. He tells us that building treasure in heaven is how this happens. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:21 NAS

For many years, I looked at many of the opportunities God has given me in the wrong way. First off, even though Jesus tells us to do so, I never looked at things from the viewpoint of building treasure in heaven. I thought that this would be selfish. Often, I have looked at many of these opportunities more as annoyances than the gift they are from God. Spurred on by the enemies whispers, I would do so with thoughts like; They should be able to take care of themselves, and I already give enough. I do not have the time to help anyone else; I'm too busy. If I talk to them about Jesus, they may get upset and not like me, etc.

But now that God has opened my eyes, I see these are all opportunities God is offering me to build treasure in heaven. Opportunities to serve up life as we are called and qualified to do. The word minister in this verse means to serve up life like a waiter. So we serve up life like a waiter and at the same time we are building treasure in heaven. What an awesome Father!

And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 BSB

Opportunities to give financially, to help others, to love, pray, encourage and build up the faith in other believers are all around. Opportunities to share the gospel and lead the lost to Christ are found throughout my daily walk. All of these, gifts from my Father to build treasure in heaven. The only thing that can stop me is fear that I will not have enough here and the fear of what others will think of me. When I get to heaven, if there is little or no treasure waiting for me, I know it is not because God prevented it. He drops countless opportunities in my lap daily, and it's up to me to trust his provision and take advantage of them. It is not difficult. I just need to believe Jesus, treasure can and should be built in heaven. Then, I need to cast all fear aside, walk in faith, do the next right thing, and point people to Jesus as I am loving them.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Heb 11:6 NAS

Even if we are rejected, God gives us treasure in heaven. We cannot lose!

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way. Luke 6:22-23 BSB

Oh, another great benefit of investing God's way, When I invest in this world, I lose peace because I tend to watch, worry and fear losing my investment. Maybe I invested at the wrong time or in the wrong investment. What if the market crashes? When I invest in heaven, I can simply invest and forget about it. I have peace and joy that come from doing things my Fathers way. My treasure in heaven is guaranteed. This shift in perspective has created great excitement in me. I now watch and hope for opportunities at all times. It has filled me with tremendous peace and joy. It can change your entire life. 

What opportunities to build treasure in heaven has God offered you lately?

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Rev 22:12 NAS

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. 

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:20