Lesson 12. Treasures in Heaven. The “Foundations of the Teachings of Christ” School—a series of foundational teachings that Jesus Christ gave His disciples on the mountain.
Matt. 6:19–21 Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Jews were well familiar with this phrase: “treasures in heaven.” They believed that good deeds done by a person on earth became treasures in heaven. The rabbis were also convinced that what was accumulated for purely selfish purposes was lost, while what was generously given to others created treasures in heaven.
- to store up [thēsaurizō] – to save, set aside for later, accumulate
Jesus warns that material possessions can be lost on earth. Some people are surprised when something is stolen from them or they lose something. Jesus clearly says that the earth is not a safe place to accumulate possessions.
- thieves break in. In Palestine, most houses were built of fired clay. By digging a hole through the wall, thieves entered the house and stole the gold and clothing hidden inside.
Jesus does not say that having material possessions is wrong; He says that accumulating them on earth is wrong. According to Him, we should accumulate treasures in heaven.
The phrase “store up treasures for yourselves in heaven” raises the question: “Surely there are not enough treasures in heaven for us?”
Notice that Jesus did not say, “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth because you have treasures in heaven.” He said to store up treasures for yourselves in heaven while we are still on earth. Jesus also spoke about this to other people.
Matthew 19:21–22 Jesus said to him (the rich young man): If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow Me. When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions.
Luke 12:33–34 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus speaks of something completely new to us:
– store up for yourselves treasures in heaven
– provide yourselves with an unfailing treasure in heaven
We do not know exactly what these treasures are, but we know that by giving to those in need, doing charitable works, and making sacrifices, we store up treasures for ourselves in heaven. When we give something to others, we lose it on earth, but at the same time we gain heavenly treasures for ourselves.
Many people are troubled by the question of why they have given something to others and do not see a reward for a long time. Whether a reward comes on earth or not is not for us to decide—the main thing is that treasures are being stored up in heaven. Heaven is the right and secure place, unlike the earth.
End of lesson.
Source: Father’s Blessing Church
Teacher: Dmitriy Leo
