Jesus teaches this extensively and we all know we should do it, but it’s very counterculture, counter intuitive and everything in our lives. Why? Because of the way we are fallen beings from God, and also we face a very “me” generation and culture, self-actualization, expressive individualism, to be the authentic you, you must live out what’s inside of you.

The whole thing ties back to what we really believe where our happiness lies. Jesus is saying your heart will be where your treasure is. Here are some motivations:

1. It’s a command of God with promises of eternity

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

No Christian should live in a material world with a materialistic worldview and lifestyle. Because that will make us look like not authentic Christian. It’s what defines a Christian, generosity to help the needy. I must admit, there have not been many teachings from the Pentecostal world that teach me that, but in the reformed world. Don’t pour your hearts into the things of the world, but seek after the Kingdom of God, where it will all last forever.

2. Worldly treasures will evaporate but heavenly treasures last forever

Jesus is asking us to put our hearts in heaven. Not on earthly treasure. Why? Because earthly treasures can be destroyed, stolen, vanish, but heavenly treasures will never disappear and will last forever. How?

Why would you labor for something that don’t last? Its very short sighted, temporary, quick instant gratification. We need to sit down and meditate over God’s word until it births something on fire by the Holy Spirit. It wont show up, until we are convicted by the Spirit from the word of God. As a matter of fact, I made an offering to charity as I prepared this exposition for this blog. I felt convicted and I acted. I broke something.

3. God will take care of our needs by the providence of God

Luke 12:²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Jesus exhorted us not to seek after the things material things like food drink, clothes and not to be worried, wow, how we all like the last word. Jesus said “Don’t worry about life!” But what’s his basis for saying that? What’s his assurance and rational to convince us? His basis for saying that is that looking at the grass, God clothed them and even better than Solomon’s riches, what else to say about men and women created by God, being the highest creatures created in God’s image?? That’s the point he’s driving at. So once you are convinced that God will really take care of you, you won’t have to worry about your next meal, your clothing’s etc., not to worry about your medical conditions, etc., then He is asking you , therefore, to NOT to seek after these things, as your Father knows you need them. God will provide. Then He went after the ultimate he wants us to get.

4. It’s God’s pleasure to give his Kingdom to people who treat earthly possessions lightly and are willing to give to the needy

³² “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

He said, Fear not. You know its fear that locks us down. Because of what’s been explained before, Jesus goes even a step further in his assurance, reassurance. He calls us “Little flock”. I don’t think this means small number. But it means He treats us like little children before God. He says that it is Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Matthew 19:¹⁴ but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Wow, that’s big. Give us the kingdom? What does that means?

Luke ²⁸ “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, ²⁹ and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, ³⁰ that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Here Jesus says I assign you the kingdom. What does that mean? He said as the Father assigned him the Kingdom, He assigns it to us! How generous is Jesus! He had to die to get that, and we just believe and get it?

Matthew 25: ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

Do you see how Jesus connected those who inherit the kingdom of God with those who feed the hungry, welcome strangers? See how important it is to feed the poor and help the homeless and widows? Christians must make it a priority to donate money to help them, and not sit in our comfortable homes only and give out tithes and offerings to church. That’s building the treasure of heaven!

Jesus, the King says to those on the right, come and inherit the kingdom prepare for you from the foundation of the world. That’s pretty amazing! The kingdom prepared for us who believe in him from the foundation of the world. That means when God created the world, he already planned a kingdom for us to inherit! Wow! This is the awesome sovereign God who predestined us the elect to enjoy the kingdom for eternity.