From Stolen to Secure

By Derald Gautier, Senior Pastor, Belmar Baptist Church, Littleton, CO

Read Matthew 6:19-21.

“We’ve been robbed!” I’ll never forget my wife saying those words. While living in our first house, only a couple of years into our marriage, someone had broken into our home and stolen several items. Some items could never be replaced: the string of pearls I gave my wife for our wedding, the cufflinks my grandfather gave me, and my class ring, among others. These items had great sentimental value and would never be recovered.

In directing our attention from the earthly to the Heavenly, Jesus addresses the security of what we value. Things of this earth can decay or be damaged or destroyed. What we store in heaven, however, is divinely secure.  Not only will it never be stolen, but it will not decay nor lose its value.

A higher ground mentality recognizes the eternal value of loving others and helping to build the kingdom of God. Click To Tweet

Jesus says that our hearts and our treasure are connected. Jesus commands us to deposit our treasures in Heaven. Heavenly treasures are the good we do for the Lord. As the objects of God’s love and grace through His Son Jesus, we are free to show kindness, love, forgiveness, and grace to others. A higher ground mentality recognizes the eternal value of loving others and helping to build the kingdom of God.

As we turn our attention from the earthly to the eternal, heaven becomes more precious. As the hymn says, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim.” So let us focus on heavenly treasure, and our hearts will also be drawn to higher ground.

Reflective Questions

1. When have you experienced the destruction of earthly things? How did that affect you?
2. What are some specific ways you can “store your treasures in heaven”?
3. What would it look like for your heart to follow heavenly treasure?

Memory Verse

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)

Prayer

Dear God, I know I am not supposed to hold my earthly treasures too closely, but sometimes it is hard. Help me to understand the importance of storing treasure in heaven. Renew my heart today so that I can properly focus on eternal treasures. 

Related Scriptures

Hebrews 13:5; I John 2:15-16; Proverbs 23:4-5; Matthew 19:21; Hebrews 11:26; Colossians 3:1-3; II Corinthians 4:18; Luke 12:34