Heavenly Treasures

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Colossians 3:2

Recently I hosted an hors d’oeuvre luncheon with several special women I have known over the years, some for decades. Our theme was Laying up Treasures in Heaven, not on Earth. We are all getting older and are thinking less about earthly possessions and more about eternal things. We want to finish out our days well.

Before we got together, we each took time to intentionally pray over the scriptures below, so we could share with one another how God has been leading us to apply these principles to our lives.

“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

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Psalms 90:12

Our time together was a sweet time of sharing and encouragement, with many diverse perspectives and applications. We learned a lot about God and each other on a deeper level.

I would like to share a few things that God has been working out in my own life the past few years, as I’ve been thinking more about laying up treasures in Heaven.

Laying up treasures in Heaven involves focusing on eternal things. The Bible says three things will last for eternity—God (Deut 33:27), God’s Word (Matt 24:35), and people (Jn 3:16). So, I want to give my life to knowing God, building His Word into my life, and helping other people know God and build His Word into their lives.

One way to know God is by spending time with Him. After breakfast, my PCAs and I always start the day with a Bible break, where we individually read His Word and pray. We then get together and share with each other how God has spoken to us, and then we pray over the day and for each other.

The purpose of building God’s Word into my life is to become more like Jesus. As I read and study the Bible, memorize Scripture, and listen to sermons, by God's grace I try to be intentional about applying it.

Because I love Jesus, I want others to know and love Him. I pray for specific people and try to share the gospel as God leads. I try to develop relationships with friends and neighbors who are on their faith journey. I have written a little booklet with my testimony and a gospel explanation, and I’m amazed at how often God opens the door to give these out and begin a conversation about faith.

As God gives opportunity, I love meeting one on one with younger believers who want to grow in the Lord. I have specific materials that I like to go through with them, and it is always a joy to see God at work in their lives.

Another way to lay up treasures in Heaven is by supporting God’s work through giving financially. In addition to giving to my local church, I carefully choose ministries that help the needy and disabled, and spread the gospel locally and globally.

Opening an account with the National Christian Foundation has made giving fun and easy. It’s like having my own personal foundation! I can put money into the account anytime. When I want to make a donation, I simply click on the name of the ministry, write in the amount I want to give, and click the submit button. Done! It takes literally thirty seconds. The foundation then sends the check to the ministry. If you are interested in learning more about giving in this way, go to www.ncfgiving.com.

I want to emphasize that God supplies even the funds to give. I am on a fixed income, but I am amazed at how God blesses so that I can give. It is so true that one cannot outgive God!

We can also store up treasures in heaven by supporting God’s work through prayer. I love corresponding with and praying for missionary friends around the world. I look forward to their prayer letters and emails, and it’s so exciting to hear what God is doing and to be a part of it.

God has also been speaking to me about not laying up treasures on earth. Over the years I have accumulated far more earthly possessions than I really need. I encourage young people to be intentional about not doing this, because it is very subtle. I have often had to confess as sin that I am putting my trust in earthly possessions, rather than trusting that God will provide what I need when I need it.

Something that has been a life changer for me is Randy Alcorn’s wonderful little book entitled, The Treasure Principle. In it he lists six principles about laying up treasures in Heaven, not earth, which I have copied below:

1. God owns everything. I’m His money manager.

We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted—not given—to us.

2. My heart always goes where I put God’s money.

Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.

3. Heaven and the future new earth, not this fallen one, is my home.

We are citizens of a better country—a heavenly one. (Hebrews 11:16).

4. I should live not for the dot, but for the line.

From the dot—our present life on Earth—extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.

5. Giving is the only antidote to Materialism.

Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.

6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously.

I highly recommend this quick-reading little book. I gave one to each of my friends after we shared with each other, as we all want to continue our journey of laying up treasures in Heaven. I also gave these faithful friends a bookmark that said, A Faithful Friend is a Treasure. How true!

This past month I have been dealing with some health issues that required hospitalization. This was a huge reminder that none of us know how much time we have on earth. Now I am all the more intentional about laying up treasures in Heaven while I can, and finishing the race well.

Your journey of laying up treasures in Heaven will be unique to you. I know many of you are sacrificially giving of your time, energy, and resources to serve your family. Many of you are pouring into the lives of others at church and in local ministries. Many of you are supporting ministries around the world prayerfully and financially. Only God knows all the treasures that the women of Cities Church are laying up in heaven!

May God bless you as He leads you onward and upward.