Invest in Eternity: Laying Up Treasures in Heaven
Main Scripture:
“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
Background Scriptures:
Hebrews 13:9 — Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines.
1 Peter 5:7 — Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
1 Timothy 6:7 — For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Hebrews 13:5 — Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.
Colossians 3:2 — Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Romans 12:2 — And be not conformed to this world.
Psalm 45:4 — In Your majesty ride forth victoriously for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.
Romans 8:6 — For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Luke 12:15 — Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
2 Corinthians 4:18 — While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Introduction:
The Call to Eternal Priority
This is a direct call to evaluate where you are placing your time, your money, and your resources. Everything must be brought into alignment with Christ’s Kingdom.
We must fix our eyes on what truly lasts. As 2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us, the things that are seen right now are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Too often, believers live as though earth is their final home, forgetting that God declared our time here is limited—perhaps 120 years at most—while eternity stretches on forever.
There must be a conscious, spiritual detachment from material possessions. Your tithe serves your walk with God and His work in the present (for now), but what about your eternal account (what of after?)
The Illusion of Earthly Wealth
Consider the sobering warning in Luke 12:20–21:
“God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Whose will those things be that you have worked so hard to store up? Your earthly treasure is completely useless unless you are rich toward God. Remember: everything you have came from God in the first place.
The 4 Levels of Spending
A father once taught his son that there are only four things a person can spend money on:
Things that last a few hours (e.g., food, temporary entertainment)
Things that last a few years (e.g., clothes, cars, electronics)
Things that last a lifetime (e.g., real estate, education, earthly legacy)
Things that will last for eternity (e.g., Kingdom work, saving souls, giving to God’s purpose)
Ask yourself today: Are you putting enough treasure into your eternity? Are you truly investing in your eternal future?
Even in building heavenly wealth, God is the ultimate architect.
As He once showed minister Kenneth Copeland, God prepared a house for His children before the foundation of the world. Heaven is real, eternity is real, and the investments you make today follows you there.
4 Principal Ways to Transfer Resources To Heaven
How do we actually take physical, earthly currency and convert it into heavenly wealth? God’s Word outlines four key channels:
1. Take Care of the Poor
In Luke 12:33, Jesus commands: “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail…”
Notice the phrasing: when you give alms to the needy, you are actually laying up treasures for yourself. The alms you give to others become purses in heaven that never wear out.
Furthermore, scripture reveals incredible blessings for caring for the poor:
Proverbs 19:17 — “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.”
Psalm 41:1–3 outlines 5 specific things the Lord does for those who consider the poor:
1. Preservation & Deliverance: The Lord will deliver him in times of trouble.
2. Long Life: The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive.
3. Earthly Blessing: He shall be blessed upon the earth.
4. Protection from Enemies: God will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
5. Strength in Weakness: The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness.
Action Step: Make it a regular part of your schedule and budget to give alms and care for the needy.
2. Love Your Enemies and Do Good
Luke 6:35 — “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.”
Giving when there is no expectation of personal gain or repayment transfers immediate value into your eternal account.
3. Practice True Generosity
Luke 16:9 instructs us to use worldly wealth to make friends, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Use your resources to help people and bring souls into the Kingdom.
Proverbs 11:25: “The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Generosity expands your spiritual capacity and secures heavenly reward.
4. Give Toward Missionary & Kingdom Causes
When you give faithfully to the advancement of the Gospel, you become a Kingdom addict—someone whose heart beat matches God’s heart beat.
Psalm 37:25 reminds us of God’s faithfulness to the righteous.
Taking up responsibilities in the Kingdom of God is non-negotiable. The resources God has placed in your hands were never meant strictly for your comfort; they were given to you to steward for His Kingdom.
Closing Prayers
1. Lord, please take the stage of my life and have Your way in everything I do.
2. Father, help me to be a vessel useful for Your glory, detached from the love of money and earthly things.
3. Let my life, my resources, and my giving be an offering pleasing to You, so that at the end of time, I will hear those blessed words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To watch the full service, click on the link below: https://www.youtube.com/live/Q-1IQIsxArA?si=TYvKCWtcSeQTsamg
