Nearly 100 years ago English archaeologist Howard Carter entered the sealed burial chamber of King Tutankhamen of Egypt, who lived around 1400 B. C. and died as a teenager. His coffin was made of solid gold, and was inside of two coffins containing it. In the tomb were golden shrines, jewelry, statues, a chariot, weapons, and clothing. The contents were catalogued, removed and became part of a famous traveling exhibition called the “Treasures of Tutankhamen”, with a permanent home in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
“Words in the Bible” tell us in the words of Jesus that we should not “lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.” He says instead in Matthew 20 that we should lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt and where thieves do not break through and steal.” He concludes in verse 21 that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The logical conclusion from what Jesus says is that when our heart is on earthly treasures, we will sooner or later be disappointed, because these treasures are not permanent. Likewise, we ourselves will not live forever, so when our life on this is ended, we will not be able to enjoy earthly treasures any longer.
Hundreds of old cars and other vehicles have been discovered over the years in fields and outdoor areas in various states of deterioration. Some have been able to be restored and some were beyond restoration due to sitting unprotected in various kinds of weather. Even cars indoors are not immune from destruction, as we remember from what happened in the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2014. 8 valuable Corvettes became victim of a 40-foot-wide and 20-foot-deep sinkhole that opened up inside the museum, causing estimates of millions of dollars in damage.
No such disaster can ever happen to heavenly treasures, which is why Jesus advises us to lay up treasures in heaven. An important question arises, then, as to what Jesus meant by laying up treasures in heaven, or how this can be done. Among other things, helping the needy, Jesus says, is the same as helping Him, and definitely is a way to lay up treasures in heaven. Living for the Lord in ways that honor Him and give glory to His name is another way to lay up treasures in heaven. Serving the Lord and laboring in the work of His kingdom is another way to lay up treasures in heaven. Undoubtedly, Jesus tells us that there will be great rewards in heaven when we do lay up such treasures in heaven.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
