Treasure : The very word entices us to seek, to hunt for treasure. Maybe, just maybe, we will find the fortune that will solve all of our financial problems. Treasure describes something everyone seeks. It doesn't have to be money. It could be the secret to the "good life" or the solution to life's problems.

Jesus knew we were looking for treasure. He also knew that most would incorrectly think that wealth was the same as treasure.

Webster defines treasure as: "something of great worth or value; a person esteemed as rare or precious; or a collection of precious things."

Matthew 6:19-21
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus includes this correction in the Sermon on the Mount - correctly interpreting "treasure" is central to understanding what it means to follow him.

Jesus corrects the notion that treasure equals wealth. Don't be too quick to assume that you get this concept, which is not only foreign to our unspiritual minds, but is counter-cultural. The most unlikely people to correctly interpret Jesus' teaching on wealth are the wealthy ("how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God" Mt 19:23). The best things in life aren't things!

We can also misread this scripture to teach that "where your heart (intention) is, there your treasure will be" - because we tend to (subjectively) evaluate our intentions (assuming that they are good) rather than looking at the facts about our life as the basis for our need to change.

Jesus actually teaches a more powerful principle - where you give your heart is where it will go. You invest your effort, time, and money in either earthly or heavenly treasure; your heart follows.

Jesus provides an antidote to the materialism of treasuring earthly stuff: treasure heavenly stuff.

What does Jesus define as storing up treasure/reward in heaven?

Acts of righteousness done in secret.

Matthew 6:1
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness infront of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

What do you think you can do to hunt for and store up Treasure in Heaven?