“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 9 (ESV)
I have been interested in squirrels ever since the days of reading The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter, a story about an impertinent red squirrel who loses his tail. As cold weather approaches and food sources start to diminish, squirrels prepare by stockpiling their food. I was amazed to discover that they store up to ten thousand pine cones a year! They have also been spotted organizing their nut booty by variety, quality and even by their personal preference, according to new research. This apparently is known as ‘chunking’. Furthermore, they have sophisticated caching techniques, hiding their prized treats from potential pilferers. Scatter hoarding is effective, as are their acorn larders. I always wondered how they located their stashes. It’s all down to their saliva which acts as an olfactory signpost.
Jesus told us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). In Jesus’ time, the Jews to whom He was speaking would have been very familiar with the terms “earthly treasure” and “heavenly treasure”. It was part of the vernacular of the time. In fact, the Jews defined storing up treasure in heaven as deeds of mercy and deeds of kindness to people in distress.
Paul instructs those who are rich …
… [not] to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
Be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure. Where is your treasure? Is it free from the potential pilferers of moth, rust and thieves? Are we scatter hoarding for ourselves or scattering our gifts abroad, as in Psalm 112:9:
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:9 (NIV)
People say, “You can’t take it with you.” Jesus contradicted that adage by citing the common Jewish belief that resources given to the needy will be repaid and rewarded. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Stockpile what’s valuable in God’s eyes and invest in what truly matters.