The trouble with storing up treasures on earth is that they are so temporary. Some of them, such as buildings or jewelry or certificates of deposit, can be so easily destroyed. A little spark, a theft, an economic downturn, and they are gone.

Jesus warned of an even greater danger. Accumulating material wealth can take over our thoughts and our affections, becoming our god. “Where your treasure is,” He said, “there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21). And the wealth of earth does not convert into the currency of heaven.

I heard a missions speaker compare the value of US dollars with the currency of a central African nation. He said that one American dollar would purchase 1,700,000 units of that country’s currency. Wow! We could take $1,000 over there, convert it, and ship back billions! But we wouldn’t be rich because that nation’s money is worthless in the United States.

The same is true of the treasures of earth. They may be of value down here, but they have no worth in heaven. How much better it is to accumulate the treasures of heaven through service to Christ, obedience to Him, moral purity, faith, love, and investing our lives in helping others! It’s worthless to treasure the treasures of earth.

  — David C. Egner