What Jesus Did! 'Storing Up' — Matthew 6:19-21

Sunday, March 14, 2021

[Jesus continued:] "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
— Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus wasn't very big on storing up things. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31) reminds us how easily we can forget that our blessings come from God's grace and are not something we have gotten on our own. Jesus did not store up things while he was here; he shared them, gave them away, gave them to people in need, and used what he had to bless others. Jesus wants us to confront a couple of crucial questions: What is our treasure and where are we keeping it? Every earthly treasure we have is vulnerable to destruction. Every one of our treasures, except our relationship with God and his people, is temporary. So why do we spend so much time investing in things that will not ultimately satisfy or sustain? Jesus urges us to invest in what is lasting, eternal, and ultimately perfect. If we do, nothing can destroy and nothing can steal our blessed assurance that we will be victorious in Jesus.

Today's Prayer

O precious Lord, thank you for investing so heavily in me and in the world in which I live. There is no one who can love me like you do. Father, please help me focus my priorities and my thoughts on heavenly things and on placing my treasures in heaven. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 3:1-4
  • 1 Timothy 6:17-19
  • Hebrews 11:24-26

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 6:19-21 NLT — "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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