How Do We Lay Up Treasures in Heaven?

Understanding the great mystery of how you practically store or “lay up” your treasures in heaven requires you to determine what these treasures are.

We naturally think of treasures as things that occupy a special place in our heart. This includes money (with its promise of power and security) and possessions (with their promise of status and comfort or their sentimental value). The book of Proverbs says that components of righteous character are also treasures: wisdom, faithfulness, love, righteousness, humility. The Gospels teach that deeds done for the glory of God are certainly treasures as well, leading me to believe that doing good works accomplishes two important things: it develops our righteous character and lays up treasures in heaven.

We know our earthly assets don’t follow us after death, but Jesus’ parables imply a link between our management of them and our reward in heaven. Kingdom currency is what converts earthly assets to kingdom assets. An acre of ground can add profit to the rich man in Luke 12 who built larger barns only for himself. But the same acre could be dedicated to feeding the poor in the neighborhood. What is the difference? In the second example, the acre has been converted to a kingdom asset. How? Through kingdom currency.

Kingdom currency is the attitude and action of faithful stewards. It is the faithful stewardship of assets God has entrusted to you while using your resources, talents, giftedness—even your essence—while on earth. Kingdom currency is the work we do to build God’s kingdom on earth and exchange earthly assets for works that last for eternity.

The steward of the acre previously mentioned determined its use. When dedicated to the purposes of God for the glory of God, the acre became a kingdom asset. If sold, neglected, or dedicated to another purpose, the same acre could just as easily revert to a mere earthly asset—of little or no kingdom value. It all depends on the faithfulness of a steward working in concert with God.

We practically lay up treasures in heaven by doing the right things for the right reasons. These actions are prompted by—and further develop—the righteous heart that transports treasures to heaven. When God, the righteous judge, reviews your heart’s attitude and your earthly actions, He will determine what burns and what endures as treasure.

Dear Lord, teach us to have a heart of wisdom. May all our works be righteously done so our treasures are in heaven. Amen.

This plan contains content from Enduring Wealth: Being Rich in This World and the Next by Raymond Harris. https://broadstreetpublishing.com/enduring-wealth/9781424568826/