[Apologies! – Some of you may have received this on July 2 and July 3. The error has been corrected. This is the devotional for July 3, 2025]

In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Makes sense. But what does he actually mean? This is one of those passages which can sound great in theory, but is more difficult to put into practice.

“Treasures on earth” are the things we accumulate and centre our lives around—but which don’t last. Picture yourself at the gates of heaven talking to Jesus. “Well, you sure did climb the ladder of success, but too bad you neglected the people around you.”  Yikes.

I have a house, a car and a smart phone. They serve a purpose. They have value. But if I get too much happiness from them, spend most of my time and energy pursuing those kinds of things, and if I neglect the grace and truth of Jesus in the process, I’ve swerved into the ditch.

It can actually be more difficult to define the “treasures in heaven” Jesus speaks of. So here’s what I did. I went through the entire Sermon on the Mount and made a list of everything Jesus talks about about in a positive way—i.e. the things we should be thinking and doing. I put this list together in an article for The Gospel Coalition. If you’re interested you can link to it in the footnotes below. 

For today, let me just say this.

God’s kingdom before your kingdom.
Righteousness before worldliness.
People before stuff.
Humility before pride.
Love before vengeance.
Faith before worry.

Let’s hunger and thirst for the eternal pathways of God. In the glitter-obsessed and distracted eyes of the world, we may not be bigger, better, best, but we sure are blessed.

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Notes:

-“What Did Jesus Mean When He Said To Store Up Treasures in Heaven” by Matthew Ruttan. The Gospel Coalition. Click here to read.

-The radio version of this devotional is now celebrating 7 years! Coordinator Jeff Walther has put a 1.5 minute video together explaining the ministry and how you can help! Click here to watch.

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.