Where Is Your Treasure? A Call to Eternal Investment

Have you ever been told you're nearsighted? Not just physically, but spiritually? Most of us walk through life focused on what's immediately in front of us—the bills we need to pay, the career we're building, the possessions we're accumulating. We can see the details of our daily existence with crystal clarity, but when it comes to eternity, everything becomes blurry and distant.

This spiritual myopia affects all of us at different points in our journey. We make decisions that benefit us right here, right now, in these few short years we have on earth. But what if we're missing the bigger picture entirely?

The Great Investment Question

In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus presents us with a stark choice about where we place our investments. He says, "Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Notice that Jesus doesn't say we *shouldn't* work hard or plan for the future. Scripture is clear that we should be wise stewards, living beneath our means and planning prudently. The issue isn't having resources—it's where our devotion lies.

Jesus gives three examples of earthly wealth in His time: expensive clothing (which moths would destroy), stored grain (which vermin would eat away), and valuables (which thieves could steal by literally digging through mud-brick walls). His point? No matter how secure your earthly investments seem, they're all temporary at best.

Even the best financial planning can't protect against economic collapse, inflation, or the simple reality that when we breathe our last, everything we've accumulated belongs to someone else. The tags have been switched on us—we've been convinced to spend lavishly on what's worthless and sparingly on what's priceless.

Three Resources, One Kingdom

So how do we store up treasures in heaven? It comes down to how we invest three resources God has entrusted to us:

**Time**: We all get the same 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. The question isn't whether we have time, but how we're using it. First Corinthians tells us that whatever we do—even something as basic as eating or drinking—we should do for the glory of God. Are we using our time to further God's kingdom, or are we merely consuming it on temporary pleasures?

**Talents**: Every person has practical skills and abilities. But for those who have trusted Christ, there's something more—spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. These grace gifts aren't earned or developed through practice; they're divinely bestowed for kingdom purposes. Whatever giftings you have, are you wearing them out for God's glory?

**Treasure**: Money is simply a tool, neither moral nor immoral in itself. Scripture shows us wealthy people like Abraham, Job, and others who were righteous. The issue isn't having money—it's whether money has you. Are you using your financial resources to advance the gospel and serve others, or are you hoarding them for a future that may never come?

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

Jesus tells a fascinating story in Luke 16 about an unjust manager who was about to be fired. Realizing his predicament, the manager quickly went to his master's debtors and reduced their bills—essentially using his remaining influence to secure his future after termination.

Surprisingly, the master praised this unrighteous manager for acting shrewdly. Not because dishonesty is good, but because the man understood how to use present resources to secure his future.

Then Jesus makes His point: "For the children of this age are more shrewd than the children of light in dealing with their own people." In other words, unbelievers are often better at planning and investing for *their* future than believers are at investing for *eternity*.

Jesus continues: "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of worldly wealth so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings." Use your temporary resources—time, talents, treasure—to reach people with the good news of Jesus. Because one day, all your earthly wealth will be gone, but the souls you've invested in will welcome you into heaven.

The KDIC: Kingdom Deposit Insurance Corporation

We're familiar with the FDIC—the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation that insures bank deposits up to $250,000. It provides security and peace of mind for our earthly investments.

But there's a better insurance program: the KDIC—the Kingdom Deposit Insurance Corporation. Whatever you invest in God's kingdom through your time, talents, and treasure comes with a return that will eclipse any great year in the stock market, any high-yield savings account, any shrewd business deal.

The return on kingdom investment is guaranteed by God Himself, and the dividends are eternal.

One Master, One Devotion

Jesus concludes with a sobering statement: "No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

This isn't about having multiple jobs or income streams. In ancient times, a bond servant belonged to their master 24/7, 365 days a year. You couldn't possibly serve two masters with that level of commitment.

The question is: What are you a slave to? Romans 6 makes clear that everyone is a slave to something. You're either a slave to sin—which leads to death—or you've become a slave to righteousness—which leads to life.

Money represents all that the world has to offer. And while it promises freedom, it actually enslaves. But when you turn from sin and trust Jesus as your master, that's when you become truly free. As Jesus said, "If you continue in my word, then you really are my disciples. And then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free."

Becoming a Watchman on the Wall

The prophet Ezekiel was called to be a watchman on the wall of the city. While everyone else did life within the city walls, seeing only from street to street, Ezekiel had a different perspective. He could see to the horizon and warn people of what really mattered.

Most of us live our lives within the walls—focused on the few years we have, measuring success by worldly standards, accumulating what we can see and touch. But we're called to be watchmen, to see the bigger picture, to understand that we're storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven where no moth or rust or thieves can take them away.

Where is your treasure today? Your heart will always follow your treasure. If your treasure is here on earth, your heart will be earthbound, anxious, and ultimately disappointed. But if your treasure is in heaven, invested in God's kingdom and the souls of people, your heart will soar with eternal purpose.

The choice is yours: temporary comfort or eternal reward. Earthly security or heavenly treasure. The world's approval or God's "well done."

Choose wisely. Invest eternally.