Matthew 6:19-20: Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;
In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus spoke a parable that shows the folly of laying up treasures on earth. The man in the parable had earthly wealth and planned to build bigger barns before saying to himself, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry” (verse 19). God told him, “You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared― whose will they be?” (verse 20).
Like the rich fool, many center their lives on earthly riches. What profit do these things provide beyond the “here and now?” What if we are called to meet God in judgment tonight? “Treasures” on earth provide nothing beyond this life, and do not produce contentment in this life (see Ecc. 5:10).
Jesus encouraged a wiser pursuit in Matthew 6:20. May we obey Him, and seek the eternal “treasures” God has prepared for the righteous.
– Michael Hickox