Matthew 6:19, commentary and pictures

Do not store wealth on earth, for earthly riches are temporary and insecure, wasting away by moth and rust and decay and liable to be lost by theft, fire, disaster and financial ruin, and none of them can be carried beyond death into the future life. Store treasure in heaven instead, for what is placed there is lasting, incorruptible and secure, kept by God where flood and fire cannot destroy and thieves and loss cannot reach. Where treasure is placed the heart follows, so storing on earth fixes affection on earthly things while storing in heaven turns the heart heavenward, and no one can pursue both at once, for love of worldly wealth as life's great object is incompatible with serving God. Laying up treasure in heaven means regarding money, property, time, talents and all abilities as the Lord's goods lent in trust, and transferring earthly means there by faithful, self-denying giving for God's work and the salvation of souls and by helping the needy, the widow, the fatherless and the suffering. Wealth kept on earth does no good when left behind at death and will be swept away in the fires of the last days, while what is dispensed in this life for God is secure, so with the end at hand believers must act quickly, deny selfish indulgence, return what belongs to God, and send treasure ahead rather than keep it tied in banks, lands and property.

Words and Immediate Context

The command not to store treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal was spoken by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters four to seven. It was given especially to His disciples gathered close around Him while a curious multitude also listened after He led them to a level place on the mountainside and sat down. Its truths were expressed plainly and simply and with authority as words of eternal life, so that the poor, the unlearned, the most simple-minded, and even a child could understand. The sermon contradicted the self-righteous doctrines of the scribes and Pharisees and corrected their misrepresentation of God, and its lessons are to be shown in the way people live. Laying up treasure in heaven as set against laying it up on earth is done for oneself and is working for one's own interest.

The prohibition of earthly storing and the command to heavenly storing stand joined to the call for a single eye that makes the whole body full of light rather than an evil eye that makes it full of darkness. They stand joined to single service to God, because no man can serve two masters but must hate or despise one, so none can serve God and mammon. They forbid anxious thought for life, food, drink, and clothing, teaching that life is more than food and the body than clothing. The heavenly Father feeds the birds that do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, anxious thought cannot add one cubit to stature, God clothes the lilies that do not toil nor spin beyond Solomon in all his glory and clothes the grass that today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven and will much more clothe those of little faith, Gentiles seek after these things while the heavenly Father knows the need of them, and seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness brings all these things added. The warning accompanies Christ's lessons about God's goodness and care illustrated by flowers and the birds He feeds, it guards the point where Satan tempts most strongly in love of worldly riches and honor which Christ Himself met in full power and overcame in man's behalf, and it sets God and the world before men as two masters that cannot both be served so that where interest in and love for this world predominate the things most worthy of attention are not appreciated and God does not hold His exalted place in affection and devotion. It means the Lord must be kept ever before the mind and His kingdom and righteousness sought first or temporal things will take first place in the affections, and it leaves no excuse that children and domestic duties prevent study of the Word because no man lives to himself and Christ's commission requires taking up God-given responsibilities.

The verse gives one of the laws of the kingdom of heaven, given in the Bible as the guidebook showing what is truth and what must be done to inherit eternal life. It is given clearly to keep people from stumbling or straying into forbidden paths. With the rest of Matthew 6 it exposes the dangers and unbelief of the present time and urges walking by faith rather than depending on earthly things. It calls for a life directed toward lasting heavenly treasure and forms part of Christ's lesson on preparing character for eternal life, drawing attention away from temporal interests to spiritual realities and to unselfish aims and purposes that glorify God so that fallen and sinful man may become a prince and king in the heavenly courts, an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. It belongs to Christ's teaching on the kingdom which challenged hopes for worldly greatness and redirected attention from earthly wealth to the kingdom's conditions and values.

The instruction was given by One who knew people face temptations to value earthly things too highly. As the world's Redeemer He understands the human heart and understands the dangers and perils of Satan's temptations to make the world all-absorbing, and earthly wealth can capture affections and become more important than Christ's kingdom and the spread of truth so that generosity and spiritual service are hindered and salvation and grace are pushed aside. His coming to earth was not a pursuit of earthly treasure, for the world was already His, bought through the gift of His own life. Lifting the veil from eternity He forbids storing wealth on earth because it decays and can be stolen and commands storing treasure in heaven where it is secure, exposing the danger of trusting in riches and giving enthusiasm to things that perish. The verse therefore calls for close attention to eternal interests today by subordinating every earthly interest to God's service and to seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, since entrance into the kingdom is hard for those who trust in riches and gaining the whole world profits nothing if the soul is lost, a right measured by the infinite sacrifice in the Father's love and in Christ's life of sorrow and privation in healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, bearing human iniquity, and suffering a horrible death.

The verse holds a lesson requiring recognition of every gift as coming from God, with gratitude for His goodness bringing a heavenly atmosphere around the soul, and ordering of life by the truth of God found in His word. It requires diligent study of the Scriptures as the truth of the living God and not a make-believe story, holding them as the foundation of faith and the assurance for hope of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven, especially the truth about what a person must do to be saved which elevates the mind from merely common matters to dwell on eternal things and strengthens it. Earthly treasure is connected with corruptible possessions in contrast with the lasting value of living in conformity to God's mind, for righteousness is complete agreement with God's will and a precious acquisition.

Two Kinds of Treasure

Treasures upon earth are temporary, insecure, perishable and vulnerable to loss, for moth and rust corrupt them and decay wastes them, while fire, storms, adversity and other destruction can sweep them away and thieves break through and steal them, and they are exposed as well to financial ruin, panics and failures. They cannot be taken to heaven, to the grave or into the future life, they cannot provide lasting security, and they cannot endure as lasting treasure. The heart follows what is treated as treasure, so earthly wealth must not be made the heart's treasure or the object of investment and devotion.

Earthly treasures include money, houses and lands and bank stock and temporal financial prospects, as well as dress, pleasures, honors, worldly business and flattering toys, the glitter and tinsel that attract and fascinate the mind. They offer power, honor and fame, but their value is temporary, and material wealth, dress, houses and lands do not measure a person's worth. Loving farms and cattle must not keep believers from seeking the lasting spiritual riches that lead to an inheritance in God's kingdom, and laying up earthly treasure is putting eternal things second instead of first, living indifferent about personal salvation and the salvation of others, with no hope to rest in if sickness and death come and no progress in the divine life. That order must be changed at once by living for the better world, serving the Lord rather than mammon, and securing the heavenly prize and heavenly treasure whose purity, beauty and glory eclipse earth.

In contrast treasure laid up in heaven is lasting, imperishable, incorruptible and secure, kept safe above where nothing will ever take it away. It is kept by God beside His throne where flood cannot wash it away and fire cannot consume it, and where thieves, disaster and loss cannot reach it, for possessions given to God's work for the salvation of souls and God's glory are transferred to heaven and become enduring wealth credited to the giver with an assured everlasting reward. Storing treasure on earth makes people forget the treasure above and forget they are only strangers and pilgrims passing through this world, while ambition and love of gain cloud spiritual sight, hold the heart to the world and leave the soul without spiritual nourishment. The great conflagration will sweep away earthly treasure, while treasure laid up in heaven remains safe from thieves and decay, and unlike earthly possessions it is a lasting investment in one's own spiritual interest.

The true and lasting riches are the unsearchable riches of Christ and the eternal treasure, won by counting all earthly things but loss and dross. They include Christ's blessings and a heart willing to yield all to Him, which are more valuable than any earthly treasure that cannot buy them, and eternal life as an infinitely valuable treasure worth earnest effort and sacrifice. Those who stand the test of faithful stewardship will receive lasting riches, honor and glory. Faith and love are golden treasures greatly lacking among God's people, and the lasting treasures of spiritual life are described as gold, white raiment and eye-salve, which prepare their possessor for entrance into God's kingdom.

The lasting treasure to labor for is the harvest of character, consisting of words and deeds made possible by Christ's grace that awaken in others a desire for heaven, so that every effort that helps form Christlike character lays up treasure in heaven. A good Christian character is worth more than gold, silver or other earthly wealth, because it endures when possessions are swept away and brings lasting returns, and it is the most valuable possession on earth or in heaven. The true riches God intends His people to gain through the discipline of work in and through Christ are a perfected character after the divine likeness, a sample of the character of Christ, and a complete character gained in and through Jesus Christ is the only treasure anyone can take to the heavenly courts. Heavenly treasure is also rest in God, a quiet life enjoying the fullness of God, rich contemplation and assurance, the treasure of gladness in the heart of one who believes in Christ as personal Saviour, bringing rest and peace and contentment, happiness and joy that create melody in the heart, with the sunbeams of righteousness in that treasure bringing health and strength to the physical as well as to the spiritual and moral. Laying up treasure in heaven means not studying pleasure or ease but doing the will of God, studying to have the approving smile of the Saviour, and faithfully caring for others while engaged in His work, for which the Lord gives blessing and strength and grace.

That heavenly treasure includes people made more precious than fine gold, the friendship of Christ's redeemed which is better than all the friendship of the world, title to the mansions the Lord has gone to prepare which is better than title to the noblest palace on earth, and the Saviour's welcome into the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world which is better than all words of earthly praise. In comparison with the value of one soul the whole world sinks into insignificance, and when eyes are fastened upon the imperishable treasure the world and its treasures sink into insignificance. Jesus ministered to the poor and at the same time deliberately sought ways to reach the rich in order to reveal those imperishable riches to them, seeking the acquaintance of the wealthy and cultured Pharisee, the Jewish nobleman and the Roman ruler, accepting their invitations, attending their feasts and making Himself familiar with their interests and occupations, that He might gain access to their hearts.

Heart and Allegiance

What a person treats as treasure decides where the heart, affections, thoughts, plans and motives are directed and held and revealed, for where treasure is placed the heart follows. Storing on earth fixes interest, love and trust on earthly things, while laying up in heaven turns the heart toward heavenly things, and the more treasure laid up there the more the heart is there. Earthly treasure is temporary and unsafe, exposed to decay and theft, in contrast to treasure stored in heaven which cannot be corrupted or stolen and is secure from loss. Money and other abilities are held in trust for God, not for unrestricted personal use, but to be used in view of Christ's sacrifice and preparation for the future life, and the wealthy have a work to consecrate entrusted goods to His service and put means to use for God in a bank that never fails so it increases.

When the eye is single and directed heavenward and fixed on God's glory, the light of heaven fills the soul and earthly things appear insignificant and uninviting. Then purpose is changed to heed the command, thoughts are fixed on the great rewards of eternity, all plans are made in reference to the future immortal life, and worldly interest is no longer studied. In every pursuit the silent inquiry becomes Lord, what wilt thou have me to do, Bible religion is woven into daily life, Jesus becomes the pattern to imitate, and the Lord's law becomes a delight. Having an eye single to God's glory means working with God, bearing Christ's burdens, letting go of ambitious plans centered on self, and developing a character fit for heaven, for those who live for themselves cannot enter God's kingdom, while the vision of the world to come keeps earthly things from ruling the affections and makes eternal imperishable treasure more attractive and valuable.

No one can pursue earthly and heavenly treasure at once or love and worship both. Fixing affection on worldly wealth and honor as life's great object is incompatible with serving God, and predominating love for this world excludes love for God. Those who profess to seek heavenly treasure yet make acquiring wealth their chief concern and cling to riches cannot love Jesus and the heavenly treasure. A person reaching eagerly for both crowns but determined to possess the earthly loses sight of the heavenly and is left in darkness, while turning to seek the heavenly crown brings light, cheerfulness and holy joy; even disappointment and the miserable end of the rich do not necessarily turn people toward heaven, for they may keep pursuing worldly wealth and lose the heavenly inheritance.

Fixing treasure on earth gives thoughts, plans and motives an earthly mold and gives the heart an earthly, covetous, selfish bent. It engrosses the mind and pushes heavenly things aside, defiles the soul with covetousness and selfishness, and can obscure the value of eternal riches. Accumulating money and land brings burdens and cares that occupy the mind, feed anxiety about loss, intensify desire for more, and crowd out concern for eternal riches and devotion. Ambition and love of gain cloud spiritual sight, hold the heart to the world, blind through selfishness and worldliness, leave the soul without spiritual nourishment, and cause neglect of eternal interests and the work of helping others find salvation, so that gaining the whole world profits nothing if the soul is lost and earthly riches and idols will ultimately be cast away.

Love of money, houses, lands and gain can become a ruling passion with bewitching influence that displaces God and religion and corrupts character. Accumulating property fosters greed until gaining becomes the focus and slavery of life, leading a person to value earthly treasure above heaven and eternal life, to consume powers and affections, and to feel poorer the more is prospered because there is never enough. Minds fixed on earthly things eclipse the glory and value of the heavenly, so while the heart is on earthly treasures it can have no true estimate of heavenly things. Covetousness so cherished is idolatry incompatible with keeping God's law, and Satan makes earthly riches and worldly honor very attractive to bewitch even professed Christians and to make them undervalue heaven.

In vision the earthly crown represents worldly riches and attractions, while the heavenly crown represents the treasure sought by those who keep attention fixed on heaven. Those focused on the heavenly crown are not harmed by mockery and attacks from those pursuing the earthly one, but turning attention to those attacks and to earthly attractions brings stain and darkness and harm. Enoch was mocked for not seeking gold, silver or possessions on earth because his heart was set on eternal treasures and the home of God, and though still on earth he lived by faith with desires fixed on heaven. The rich young man shows how hard it is to transfer affection from earth to heaven, since even the promise of eternal life did not make it easy to turn from great possessions, and those who cling to possessions while professing to seek heaven show by priorities that they love earthly treasure more.

Choosing heavenly rather than worldly gain is a Christian distinction the world cannot understand without seeing the purpose of Christ's sacrifice. Christ left heaven, His riches and glory, high command, kingly crown and royal robe, and became poor, having not where to lay His head, so that fallen people through His poverty might become rich with eternal riches. His gift calls for service, gratitude, self-denial and self-sacrifice, denying every inclination of self, laying earthly treasure upon God's altar and investing it cheerfully wherever good can be done, and setting feet in His path of sacrifice to be exalted with Him at last. His servants do not have home or treasure on earth but must be willing to remain poor and despised apart from the world's friendship and spirit until conflict is over and victory is won, for the disciple is not above the master.

Laying Up Heavenly Treasure

Laying up treasure in heaven means regarding money, property, time, understanding, influence, intellect, talents and all abilities as the Lord's goods bearing his image, lent in trust as stewardship and not owned, not for unrestricted personal use, selfish hoarding, personal glory or worldly schemes, but to be used faithfully, economically and unselfishly for God, with accountability at judgment for how they are used. Earthly possessions are vulnerable to decay and theft and must not be made the object of devotion or the aim of life, for what is valued determines where the heart is, and choice is revealed in character. Those who obey and choose God's service bear heaven's principles and are molded after Christ with divine stability, entering heavenly commerce in a bank that never fails where means put to use for God increases, flood cannot wash away and fire cannot consume. Possessing unusual wealth brings greater obligations calling for generous self-sacrificing use, and faithful use is credited by God while riches can blind to duty; God's people should live economically so they can give to his work and share truth, and giving back from what he provided is thanksgiving that lays up treasure.

Treasure is laid up secure in heaven by transferring earthly means there through willing, humble, self-denying giving for God's work, the spread of Bible truth, the salvation of souls and God's glory, and through doing good, helping the needy, the widow, fatherless, afflicted and suffering, being rich in good works, supporting ministers, teachers, missionaries, schools and institutions, and relieving human suffering. Earthly wealth is temporary and vulnerable to loss and must not be selfishly hoarded or spent only for personal gratification, nor have the heart fixed upon it, and money entrusted to others or invested in land can be diverted from its intended use so faithful stewardship means using it for God's cause while able. Giving willingly to high and holy purposes is a safe and lasting investment secure from corruption, theft, disaster and loss, becoming enduring wealth credited to the giver, and returning entrusted resources to support workers who spread Bible truth advances God's glory. Giving does not enrich God to whom all belongs but benefits the giver, while hoarding, withholding offerings, and putting business or worldly interests before worship and service rob eternal riches and hinder Christian character, and selfishness and covetousness can rob even what is owed in tithes and offerings.

Laying up treasure for self on earth means withholding from God the tenth of all increase that belongs to him and accumulating for selfish ease instead of using bounty lent by God; it is robbery in tithes and offerings, while laying up in heaven means loving God supremely, returning tithes and offerings faithfully, supplying needy brethren and becoming rich in good works, with deliberate regular giving valuing the heavenly and diverting the tithe even to worthy lines risking loss unless repented. Money is not one's own but God's goods lent in trust for his glory, and shutting within self, squandering means in worldly schemes and for selfish purposes, and withholding from his treasury leaves terrible indebtedness standing in heaven's books when probation is short and wealth kept on earth does no good when left behind at death, whether ten thousand pounds or ten thousand pence. Withholding resources needed for God's work from selfish attachment neither keeps them secure in this life nor in the life to come, while using money and talents wisely in saving souls and returning tithes and offerings lays up eternal treasure, and faithful liberality in giving liberally out of abundance to support a needy sister secures reward while withholding loses reward.

Treasure must be sent beforehand into glory by personally using it in this life to sustain God's cause and save souls; those who distribute little now and excuse themselves by resolving to will means to the cause when they have no further use have no credit, but are poor, faithless and unfaithful stewards, and Satan generally secures such means. Means is only loaned by God and must be put out to the exchangers by owners themselves, for the time is near when all must give account of how means was spent when the dead stand before God judged according to the books, and delayed giving does not excuse present selfishness and property may be lost before it is returned. Parents should use means to advance the cause rather than leave surplus to children who have enough, and surplus should be used while living rather than held back, for use of property is stewardship before God and giving for his work is privilege building lasting treasure.

The verse calls for self-denial rather than selfish indulgence, curbing unnecessary spending on pride, display, appetite, vanity, amusements, adorning the body, beautifying houses and extravagant luxuries, binding about supposed wants, and using money saved to supply needy fields, help others and advance the message; anyone too poor for faithful tithes and offerings is too poor to dress expensively and eat luxuriously. Earthly possessions are not lasting investments vulnerable to moth, rust and theft, so money as the Lord's goods must advance the message rather than gratify inclination for unnecessary things or be tied in buildings, and selling what is held and giving alms fulfills the command. Every dollar spent is accountable, so supposed wants must be cut down and conscience condemn spending the Lord's money on self-pleasing and self-glorifying indulgences, while rightly directed benevolence in blessing the needy draws out mental and moral energy in healthful action after the Redeemer who left heaven's riches and glory and became poor that men might have eternal riches. Modest economical living honors Christ and keeps resources available for his work, and spending freely can give false impression of abundance, for material wealth, dress, houses and lands do not measure worth.

Giving book royalties to support missionary work, translate books, build meetinghouses and train young missionaries lays up heavenly treasure even when it means borrowing and paying interest for personal expenses; grasping excessive wages from the Lord's treasury for self is not laying it up, but practicing justice, economy and self-denial is. Earthly wealth is insecure and must not be life's goal or treated as possession for selfish gratification or needless luxury, for wealth is entrusted for the Lord's service including advancing his work and helping the needy, and diverting it to extravagance hinders that work and makes holders unfaithful stewards. Entrusted goods test fidelity and God will investigate their use, and those standing the test receive lasting riches, honor and glory; wealthy people should place treasures on the altar rather than keep them, using means and work to extend missionary influence and save souls rather than spending effort on frivolous amusements.

Laying up in heaven includes using means to build schools to educate youth to teach salvation, building churches and schools, feeding and clothing missionary workers while alive, hiring and paying interest to educate children, turning money wasted on tobacco to saving souls, and giving to a health institution as sacrifice seeking reward in God's kingdom rather than earthly return. Earthly wealth is vulnerable to loss while heavenly treasure cannot be lost in earthly disaster, so choosing gifts honoring God, doing good, and using property for faithful works that endure lays up lasting value whose results may include souls saved. Giving means to sustain ministers in saving souls brings glorious reward, and donors and workers should serve for God's glory and relief of others not merely for money.

Laying up in heaven is done for oneself and works for one's own lasting good; giving does not enrich God to whom all belongs but benefits the giver with deeper permanent joy, peace and happiness in this life and eternal riches to come, while those valuing conscience above riches show greater wisdom precious to God. Earthly storing is forbidden because possessions last only for a season and can be destroyed, stolen and lost, and love of money, houses and lands can consume powers and affections, displace love for God and concern for others, and turn the mind from eternal interests and become a snare. Heavenly treasure is imperishable, kept by God, the only truly secure possession and a lasting investment in one's own spiritual interest, and those entrusted with means build it by faithfully doing God's given work of helping save others and advancing his cause.

Because the end is at hand and Christ's coming is near with the work nearing its close, believers must act quickly, cut loose from earthly treasures, narrow large holdings like farms, sell what is held and give alms, put person, voice and means into circulation for saving souls, and send treasure ahead to needy mission fields in the West, Europe, Nashville and the South rather than keep it tied in banks, land and property. Money and property must not be laid up where moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal but invested in Christ's cause with means placed in human hands to save souls, following Christ who gave up all glory and God who gave his Son with all heaven's advantages for eternal life, working as human agencies to sound the warning and bring life and immortality to light. There is danger thousands of pounds will be lost through business managed under the arch-deceiver laying plans to gather what should come to the Lord, so old and young must be taught to lay up beside the throne, being in the world but not of it, laboring with God with no time for inaction and providing facilities for missionary work to prepare a people for the Lord. Consecrating talents of means and influence to Christ's service and seizing opportunity to place truth before those who know it not brings Holy Spirit efficiency Satan cannot resist, even while others reproach the cause.

The verse does not forbid obtaining and holding means to carry forward God's work, open new mission fields and support schools, nor buying property for God's work such as meetinghouses in different places, schools to call children from city schools, and sanitariums in open country with fresh air and trees that draw the mind from self; recovering money tied in property and shares to invest directly in active gospel work is not laying up treasure. Choosing plain furnishings and denying comforts to secure modest healthful rooms under one's control for hospitality and accommodating believers provides freedom and service rather than extravagant accumulation.

Means are of value only as used to advance God's kingdom for which God lent them, including sending truth to other nations; money put into larger plans to extend God's work and carry light to the world is not lost capital, while shutting within self, squandering in worldly schemes, keeping for selfish interest, letting lie unused, or sending into the enemy's lines is laying up on earth. Earthly riches are vulnerable to decay and theft and must not be lasting treasure, for one soul outweighs the whole world, and money and influence are the Lord's with accountability for their use. Wealth kept for selfish interest or left unused does not benefit God or steward but is to be invested in his service, and time, understanding and possessions used for his cause show where the heart is. Money willingly given becomes secure treasure yielding more lasting joy than personal spending or greed, and those investing sparingly because they feel safer increasing earthly wealth may expect heavenly treasure according to heavenly investment.

Laying up in heaven is connected with using time, strength and property to support God's cause and advance truth with diligence and self-denial; material increase is not for selfish ease, the diligent should set aside means as prospered for charitable purposes, even those without property must use health and strength faithfully since idleness is no excuse, and idleness is as perilous as overdevotion to business. Present and eternal interests must have first place never made secondary to temporal concerns, for striving for soul health opens windows heavenward and brings grace and peace, while overdevotion to temporal business defrauds the soul and ruins both lives. Christ's servants must use every gift obediently and self-denyingly to bring people to know truth, each responsible for entrusted talent without handing duty to another, and such giving becomes everlasting treasure in God's kingdom. Laying up is done by discharging duty aright, searching Scriptures, perfecting Christian character whose example tells on the Lord's side, waiting to learn what the Lord says and receiving blessing to do duty, and being channels of true light who impart it to help others walk in it.

Dangers of Earthly Storing

Acquiring and accumulating money, houses and lands as life's business proves a snare to the soul because earthly treasure draws interest and affections to itself, for where the treasure is the heart is also. Such pursuit absorbs the powers of mind and body, makes spiritual and eternal interests secondary, puts love for worldly possessions above love for God and above love for souls, blinds the eyes so eternal things are not discerned, and leaves a person spiritually wretched, poor, blind and naked even when regarded as wealthy and prosperous by the world. It brings regret and absence of happiness and peace and does not meet divine approval, while treasure laid up in heaven is safe from decay and theft. Living merely to get gain for self and storing earthly treasure for self is forbidden, for all property is to be regarded as the Lord's and used as faithful stewards entrusted with His goods, constantly watching to advance His cause rather than personal benefit, and making earthly wealth the chief aim draws from true religion and devotes the mind to wealth at cost of the soul.

Hoarding money, land and houses and adding land to land for self is covetousness and idolatry, for earthly wealth is insecure, vulnerable to decay and theft, and must not be held as treasure. Money is to be earned and saved wisely in order to give to God's work, and generosity and faithful stewardship in support of God's work is obedience that lays up treasure in heaven rather than adding houses for self. Accumulating land and property while claiming it will later help the cause can still be laying up on earth, for it can bind with debt and consume time in labor, leaving little time for prayer and service and preventing help when the cause needs it. As earthly possessions grow, love for truth and interest in heavenly treasure can diminish, while fear of losing wealth makes people cling to it and withhold help from others and God's work, revealing that love for the world is stronger than love for God's cause, for actions show where attachment lies and what is regarded as home.

Investing available means in land, mines or other ventures for personal gain can entangle in worldly possessions, foster greed and unwillingness to give, divert and bury resources that should support God's work, and direct investment and attachment toward wealth that can be lost or destroyed. The command forbids laying up where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal and commands laying up where they do not decay and cannot be stolen, because where treasure is the heart will be also, and it governs the use of money and condemns its unwise use and the spirit of speculation. Means are not to be put into uncertain ventures such as mining and railroad stock to gain large returns even with purpose of doing good with profits, because success cannot be assured, whereas laying up in heaven brings an assured everlasting reward. For those who believe Christ's coming is near, investing in mining stock buries the Lord's talent in the earth and is contrary to His will, and money becomes a snare when buried in an enterprise without His endorsement, absorbing means but increasing neither earthly nor heavenly treasure to loss and disappointment like the unfaithful steward who hid talents in the earth.

Laying up on earth means grasping for earthly gain through dishonest speculation, unjust trading, sharp bargains, using money power to take advantage of others, making the poor man's burden heavier to increase property faster than fair trading allows, diverting means from foreign missions to ambitious human designs, and unjustly acquiring means at another's expense. Such increase is not true riches but fearful loss, costing manly integrity and heavenly virtue, sacrificing reputation as a Christian and honest man, taking away from treasure that might have been accumulated in heaven, imperiling the soul, and standing in the way of children's salvation by teaching indifference to religious things and love of keen trading. Every opportunity to help a brother in need or aid the cause in spreading truth adds to heavenly treasure as a pearl sent beforehand to be kept safe in the bank of Heaven, for blessings are given lavishly to test whether they will be used to feel the worth of souls and bless others by being rich in good works. At the close of probation no dollar gained can be taken along and the curse of every unjust act remains, and unjust dealing proves the holy law as explained in the pure gospel given upon the mount has not been learned, calling for repentance, conversion, works worthy of Christians measured by love to God and neighbor, and a cleansing purging of the soul temple.

Directing mind, thought and labor toward securing all possible earthly gain in the shortest time, especially by speculation in buying country and city lots or anything promising sudden exorbitant gains, and by crowding and wrestling like madmen in stock trading where some gain and others lose, reaches a fever heat that hastens youth to ruin and opens the heart to the enemy's alluring temptations that some cannot resist. Going contrary to the express injunction not to store treasures on earth fixes the heart on earthly rather than heavenly things, makes shipwreck of faith, and allows love of money to become the ruling passion, intemperate and intoxicated with insane desire for riches like the inebriate for liquor. This includes being overcome by delusive inducements to invest where it yields greatest profit in dollars and cents, fastening money in property that must be sold before practical use in God's cause, which as effectually buries money in the earth as the man in the parable, while robbing God of the tenth He claims and thereby robbing self of heavenly treasure. Those who chase earthly gain and ignore heavenly treasure, which is the gift of eternal life and only a little of the inheritance in this life, show they have not made God their dependence and will face confusion at judgment and the great day of final decision unless calling and election are made sure.

Putting money and interest into secret societies is laying up earthly treasure and proves the heart is there, fixing the heart on this world instead of heaven. That pursuit causes evidences of truth to lose brightness and force, causes heaven to fade from the mind, and causes the eternal weight of glory, the gift of God for a life of obedience, to appear unworthy of notice beside supposed earthly benefits. By actions the earthly-minded say interest in earthly treasures cannot be let go to secure the eternal, the life to come is too remote to count upon, they choose earthly good and will run the risk of the future because God is merciful, while souls starve for the bread and water of life. The fascinations of the clubroom, suppers and world-loving associates lead as did Belshazzar's feast to forgetfulness of God and dishonoring of His name, and continuing appoints the slothful servant a portion with hypocrites and unbelievers.

Laboring excessively to accumulate money while neglecting prayer, devotion, health and the needs of God's work draws the heart away from God, for treasure is vulnerable to decay and theft and the heart follows what is treasured. Promises to give later do not undo a present love of gain, and putting all powers of brain, bone and muscle into business so as to have no time to serve God is a misuse of time and strength for which account must be rendered. Treasures upon earth are cheap and perishable while the treasures to be sought are enduring, so energy is not to be concentrated on low temporary goods but every energy used in work that enlightens the world and bears blessed satisfaction for time and eternity, adding stars and gems to the crown to be worn in heaven. The warning is not a call to suppress earnestness, aspirations or activity, but to direct and sanctify them toward what is pure and holy and brings glory to God and lays up unfading eternal treasure by devotion and self-sacrifice in doing good to others.

Making buying possessions the principal burden is forbidden, and becoming entangled in worldly possessions so there is no means to put into the Lord's treasury is doing at Satan's leading the very thing commanded against, for no one can serve God and mammon because the world is a hard master. Satan works guardedly and does not demand open homage by outward worship, but simply seeks to engage mind and affections with love of the world, love of rank and position, love of money and love of earthly treasures. When he succeeds heavenly attractions are eclipsed, and to secure this love of earthly treasures is for him to gain from man all that he asked of Christ in the wilderness temptation, for he is a conquered foe who lost his case there.

Eager search for worldly riches mistakes phantoms for realities and follows delusions, degrading powers given for good by self-serving, bringing disappointment and failure after failure, and drawing away those who should be engaged in His service. With intense earnestness Christ seeks to arrest attention and point upward to the unseen world and heavenward to God where the highest good is, calling to stop storing perishable gain and to use reasoning powers to reckon the eternity of bliss to be gained by securing treasure that will endure forever through self-denial and sacrifice where the cross becomes strength unto glory. Earthly riches are sparkling vanities giving false security, for they must ere long be consumed and a word, a breath or the slightest accident can deprive men of their earthly all, and even millions cannot ransom the soul. No bounty can be claimed as owned, for all temporal gifts of food, clothing, dwellings, fields, flocks, gold, silver, friends and health are committed as a trust from God to be wisely improved and not spent only on self and family while withholding His own, and if hearts are refused while enjoying His blessings He can remove His protecting hand in judgment bringing want and desolation and scattering what has been gathered.

Adding riches to riches by burying in houses and lands the means that should be returned to God is forbidden, as is spending on appetite, fashions, grand houses, precious stones and needless display. Money spent in selfish gratification, idolatry and extravagant sumptuous living is treasure kept on earth, while money put into the cause of God is treasure laid up in heaven, for money is lent on trust to be used to His name's glory in the very work He requires. Laying up in heaven means becoming rich toward God through faithful stewardship and liberal returns including tithes and offerings, while using entrusted means for personal pleasure while neglecting His claims is not laying up heavenly treasure. Riches so used become a curse when they foster covetousness, selfishness, self-idolatry and separation from God, coming from the great temptation that possession brings, and it is the opposite of Christ's example of giving Himself with all He had to deliver men from Satan's power, calling for economy and choosing imperishable treasure over gratification of desire.

Eternity Judgment and Loss

Wealth kept on earth does no good when it is left behind at death, whether it be ten thousand pounds or ten thousand pence, for gold and honor cannot be taken away. Clinging to earthly possessions can end in losing them, and love of earthly wealth must not be allowed to possess the heart because such treasure is insecure, exposed to decay and theft. The hoarder closes his career with terrible indebtedness to God standing in the books of heaven, and all must give account when the dead stand before God and are judged according to the things written in the books. Means is only loaned by God and must be put out to the exchangers by its owners themselves in this life to sustain His cause, advance His cause, glorify His name, and save souls, including giving to foreign missions. Those who distribute little now and excuse themselves by resolving to will their means to the cause when they have no further use for it have no credit for laying up treasure in heaven, but are poor, faithless, selfish, penurious, unfaithful stewards who throw their stewardship upon another, and the enemy generally secures such means for his own cause.

Earthly treasure will be swept away by the great conflagration and consumed by the fires of the last days, while treasure invested in God's cause is secure where fire cannot consume it and adversity cannot sweep it away. Money and abilities invested in farms and buildings for selfish, worldly purposes are lost when those fires consume them, while resources used to extend God's work and win souls are treasures laid up for heaven. Laying up above means weighing earthly gain against heavenly loss and choosing the value of the soul over temporal success, dispensing while alive what was lent rather than keeping it in selfish hands. This requires presenting offerings to God, selling and giving alms, giving back a portion of what He lent, and using means without delay to advance His cause, for holding on instead of using to support God's work leaves it forever too late to sacrifice when destruction comes like a whirlwind and overflowing scourge.

Houses and lands cannot secure the saints in the time of trouble and may become a burden when they must flee. Property should be dedicated to God and used as He teaches when and how to advance the truth, with guidance sought on when to sell and how much. God does not require everyone to sell property at the same time, and some may keep property until a later time of need, but holding back without seeking His direction can leave it useless when the cause needs support, while sacrifice offered for that purpose diminishes and consumes it rather than increasing it. In view of approaching persecution and the need to leave cities, means should not be tied up in property and worldly enterprises, but resources should be used to support God's work and save people and treasure sent ahead to heaven.

Gaining the whole world profits nothing if the soul is lost, and no worldly gain profits a man who loses his soul. Trusting in riches makes entrance into the kingdom of God hard, and enthusiasm given to things that perish must be exposed and subordinated with every earthly interest to God's service. Fixing treasure on earth gives thoughts, plans and motives an earthly mold, defiles the soul with covetousness and selfishness, crowds out concern for eternal riches, and can cost the soul even if the whole world is gained. Then earthly riches and idols will ultimately be cast away, and the rich will face misery.

This short life is of far less consequence than the better, eternal life, so greater carefulness and earnestness belong to seeking eternal life than to unnecessary preparation for this life. Gathering and laying up treasures upon earth is only a snare, and engaging almost wholly in unnecessary preparation for this life loses the opportunity to gain eternal life. Pursuing temporal advantages can absorb time and attention until eternal truth is lost sight of, and if death comes suddenly the unprepared may lose eternal life. Those who heed the counsel to lay up treasure in heaven instead of upon earth, where their treasure is their hearts will be also, belong among the redeemed.

During probation every person is deciding eternal destiny by what is laid up, with the righteous laying up treasure in heaven beyond corruption while the impenitent daily add to iniquity. People may sow through choices and actions in this life but receive their harvest in eternity, in contrast to insecure riches that can be lost through decay or theft. Giving means and labor to help save others produces lasting, heavenly treasure, whose value will be seen at the final judgment.

Hoarded wealth becomes moth-eaten and is not preserved or blessed when refused for God's work, since fire can consume and adversity sweep it away. Wealth selfishly withheld may be scattered and lost, bringing no lasting benefit, depriving the cause of support, and becoming a curse and crushing burden rather than a blessing. Holding tightly instead of helping the distressed and needy, supporting God's work, and sharing with sufferers leaves a person attached to the world and at risk of perishing with those treasures and having no place in the kingdom, putting love of world above love for God, truth and fellow people. Account must be settled with God when service time has passed, for money is entrusted to be used for others' good and the advancement of His kingdom, including feeding and clothing the needy, and wealth withheld when it could have done good may be useless when the work is nearly finished.

Treasures on earth are perishable, yet even they must be secured by effort and sometimes by most painful sacrifice. In contrast the treasure in heaven is of infinite value and brings a life that measures with the life of the Infinite. Eternal life costs all that is possessed, and obtaining it calls for willingness to endure conflict and toil and to make earnest efforts and great sacrifices, because heaven cannot cost too much. This requires counting all earthly things but loss and dross, with houses and lands and bank stock and temporal financial prospects not the riches Christ gives, and following Him who left heaven and became poor to save souls even to accepting less prosperous prospects and enlisting in hard missionary service in localities where truth has not been proclaimed.

Daily Life Applications

The verse teaches contentment and yielding of the will to the control of the Holy Spirit instead of striving for place and position and reaching out for human honor and recognition. The desire to become rich must not direct life, and earthly wealth and advantages perish and must not take first place or consume whole effort. Present and eternal interests must be given proper first place and never be made secondary to temporal concerns, for striving for soul health opens windows heavenward while overdevotion to temporal business defrauds the soul of grace and peace and ruins both lives, though idleness is as perilous as overdevotion.

Possessing unusual wealth brings greater obligations and calls for generous self-sacrificing use rather than hoarding for self. Those valuing conscience and doing good above riches may have little earthly property yet lay up incorruptible treasure by giving and helping others even at personal cost, showing greater wisdom precious to God. Even the poor can lay up treasure in heaven, for faithful use of even a little increases it and the value of an offering depends on motive and faithfulness not amount. The rich have responsibility to use means and sympathy to relieve human suffering, turning attention from selfish interests toward Christ into durable riches and righteousness.

These words are the text for enlightening parents who stand as teachers in God's place to reflect His will, avoid harshness and angry punishment, and raise children in strict temperance putting God's kingdom and righteousness first. Parents must not devote time and resources to acquiring wealth and costly goods while neglecting children's mental improvement and moral culture, nor give money for amusements and appetites, nor hoard for them. Property left to children is nine times out of ten a greater curse, and the best legacy is knowledge of useful labor and benevolence, while property itself is the Lord's to be used thoughtfully for real need after determining how a gift will be used, not given carelessly or spent extravagantly.

Instead of storing earthly treasure youth are to lay up heavenly treasure by rightly employing capabilities as sacred endowments and gifts from the Lord, constantly growing in holiness, happiness and usefulness. This means cultivating every power, bringing every faculty into active exercise, enjoying all useful and precious in this life while being good and doing good. It calls for excelling in all things unselfish, high and noble, looking to Christ as pattern, cherishing His holy ambition, making the world better for having lived in it, using probation to remove defects, form habits and take resolute stand, and not choosing ease or pleasure over zealous work.

Obeying by choosing God's service molds character after Christ with divine stability and makes its owner partaker of heavenly attributes, enabling appreciation of divine attributes and temporal blessings the worldling cannot understand. The wealthy have a work of consecrating entrusted goods under God's supervision, entering heavenly commerce in a bank that never fails where means used for God increases, putting talents to usury in tithes, gifts and offerings to sustain the cause and prepare the way so souls receive truth. True heavenly riches belong to those holding right principles and integrity, who can rest in assurance even when wars, pestilences, thefts, robberies and bankruptcies take earthly possessions, for flood cannot wash it away and fire cannot consume it.

Making earthly wealth the object of life ensnares and can lead to selling oneself for it, directing the heart to worldly things rather than God. Disregarding this teaching is linked to sin, misery and want prevailing in the world, while laying up in heaven means using possessions unselfishly as entrusted goods to support God's work, save the lost, honor God and bless others, which God credits though riches can blind to duty. Desire to increase possessions is a selfish purpose distorting character from wholehearted service.

God's people should live economically so they can give to God's work and share truth with those who have not heard, for giving back from what He provided is thanksgiving laying up treasure. Entrusted resources are to be used responsibly helping the poor and needy and supporting missions rather than diverted to worldly uses, which directs the heart to heavenly treasure. Such obedient self-denying giving to bring people to know truth becomes everlasting treasure in His kingdom.

Attachment to accumulating earthly possessions can rob eternal riches and lead to spiritual poverty, for means are God's property to be placed in His control and used as directed. Fixation on keeping them fosters covetousness, anxiety, dishonesty and treating money as god, hindering obedience and weakening faith shown by works. Christ's direction lays up treasure by withdrawing attachment from earthly and directing it to heavenly.

Intellect, talents and influence are gifts lent by God, not for self alone, to be developed in service and in forming character fit for eternal life, bringing good now and eternally. Away from self-centered attachment, heavenly priorities mean putting self and resources into sharing truth and serving others. Knowledge of truth, heavenly wisdom and spiritual abilities used faithfully to advance His cause lay up treasure.

The instruction is applied by using wealth to help others and advance God's work, including selling houses and lands not needed and putting idle money to use when God opens opportunity rather than keeping it idle. Means must not be stored for personal glory and hope but used for His cause, for earthly riches separate from Him, are insecure and perish, while heavenly treasure is secure; those making riches hope lose all, as California stock traders went from millionaires to beggars in a day and took their lives when heavenly storing would have been far better.

The verse means self-denial and self-sacrifice, denying every inclination of self as those purchased by blood become co-workers to win the royal crown and life measuring with God's life. Christ left heavenly home, high command, kingly crown and royal robe and became poor that fallen man might obtain eternal riches, and disciple is not above master so must be as master, with single eye filling body with light against evil eye filling with darkness. It calls for surrendering self and possessions as living sacrifice with readiness for glory and willingness to suffer.

Earthly wealth is vulnerable to decay and theft and cannot advance knowing God or Christian growth, while Christ calls to seek true riches stored for the righteous regarding possessions as gifts to honor Him. True safety is laying up beside the throne by using money as the Lord's lent to stewards and devoting a portion to help the needy, as seen in stealing going on today.

Laying up in heaven is giving liberally to God's cause in needy fields, including lending money to be invested there, for money set apart remains His held in stewardship. Withholding it to put into land to please family and avoid trouble grieves God and buries it like the servant in the parable, for heart follows treasure. Not laying out means in houses and lands to keep it from the cause, nor spending time building, planting and sowing to gratify love of earthly treasure, is required; disobeying to gratify family desire even under show of duty to family declares this world home contrary to looking for Christ's appearing.

The verse means not making the world first as mammon worshipers do but subordinating earthly interests to seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness with promise all needed things will be added. It forbids exhausting vigor for perishing bread and requires highest endeavor for eternal treasure bearing God's image, while Christ as counselor knows soul value because He paid its ransom. Interest and prosperity of His kingdom must be paramount, for contrary course makes shipwreck of faith with love of money as ruling passion intemperate as intoxication, fastening money in property that must be sold before practical use, burying it like the parable man and robbing God of the tenth and self of heavenly treasure.

The warning applies to worldly-mindedness treating possessions as lasting home, for attachment can hinder entrance into God's kingdom and keep heart from heaven. Those pursuing earthly wealth may fail to gain it yet lose heavenly home, and others' disappointments do not stop the same course, while profession without harmony with heaven's laws cannot fit for the kingdom. Churches turning affection from Jesus to worldly wealth instead of heavenly treasure fall under same warning.

In this context resources are to be put to work for mission rather than kept tied in banks, practicing economy to meet world needs. God puts means in hands of trustees expecting them to act, adding territory to territory and field to field with gospel memorials, rather than laying down a pile to send workers to Australia, India and other parts.

Making wealth store of security and hope can end in despair, for wealth is entrusted not owned and should be used for God's cause rather than personal glory, since treasure shapes heart. Earthly riches are transient, unsatisfying, subject to decay and theft, and those making them aim remain unsatisfied, may lose both riches and heavenly treasure, and face miserable end yet keep pursuing. Those expecting Christ's appearing must not neglect eternal preparation while laboring for gain, and disappointment may lead to seeking true riches as angels lead onward.

Laying earthly treasure is dwelling in ceiled houses running every man to his own house, laying time, labor and money on self while God's house lies waste and serving self at sacrifice of zeal. Laying heavenly treasure is considering ways, honoring God first and building His house so He takes pleasure, is glorified and His presence invited, for where treasure is heart follows. Neglect for supposed gain brings failure, sowing much bringing little, want, drought and blown harvests, while putting His interest first brings blessing.

Laying up in heaven means using present time to put heart in order for time of trouble rather than letting worldly thoughts, exciting books or worries about food and clothing displace present truth and love of Bible. The mind should focus on God's commandments and readiness for Christ's return, not crowded out by cares and pursuits.

People should value eternal things, put heaven first, work without selfish interest and become rich toward God rather than merely save through narrow efforts. Life's aim is not acquiring property but living rightly with God, blessing others and winning people to Christ, storing lasting treasure after wealth, fame and honor pass. Good works, blessing words and efforts to save others are lasting investments over self-gratification.

Love of money can draw away from Christ's kingdom, weaken service and generosity, obstruct salvation and become ruling trait, making wealth stumbling block to ruin where earthly treasure is lost and heavenly forfeited. It calls for serious thought about investing in what lasts rather than riches and ease, and for transforming grace bringing temporal interests under religion's rule with treasure directing heart.

Human agents must recognize they are part of humanity's web by interweaving interests with others and supplying suffering poor's needs, not hoarding to secure portion in this life which cheats of heavenly treasure and immortal inheritance. Returning entrusted resources to God and using them for others' good turns stewardship into heavenly treasure.

Earthly wealth, houses, lands, honors and possessions cannot be carried into glory and can be suddenly destroyed as Chicago was by fire. Spending life accumulating while neglecting spiritual life and soul-saving diminishes moral worth before judgment, so life should use God's gifts to bless others and advance His cause. Limited time should not be squandered on vain diversions or display but used to bless others and cultivate heart and mind for useful service.

Time spent in self-gratification is wasted while rightly used opportunities secure immortal treasures, and in view of final account earthly pleasures are not worth neglecting them. Every moment is treasure with eternal consequences to be used for holy purposes, employing precious talents for eternal riches through right use of entrusted goods.

Making a small spot of land highest ambition to neglect of eternal interest brings irreparable loss. Seeking what is necessary is safe only with right motives and principles with eternal secured first by laying up in heaven, building on rock not sand so wise builder is safe in sickness or adversity.

Hoarding from fear of future need shows distrust keeping from using means for others and God's work, though each is accountable whether much or little. Giving to advance cause and help others should be done humbly not for human praise, showing genuine faith pointing to God.

Withholding material support when God's work needs to carry truth leaves souls without help, and opportunity is short requiring urgency. Delaying until calamity sweeps possessions makes sacrifice too late, while giving lays up treasure. Means should be used quickly and freely for the cause, not given to those despising truth to divert resources.

The contrast warns against turning from heavenly treasure to earthly possessions, applied to choosing truth, righteousness and the Redeemer over wealth. Storing earthly treasure is not path to better country and cannot secure entrance into heaven.

Fixing mind on possessions can consume time leaving unprepared for heaven at risk of losing eternal life grasping a shadow. As heavenly treasure grows earthly possessions lose attraction, and love of riches can be overcome by freely giving to support truth so love of truth prevails.

Means should be devoted to Christ's service rather than made ruling affection drawing from His kingdom's success and spread of truth. Property owners must resist making possessions attractive and give freely to support truth, overcoming love of riches rather than idolatry, thereby laying up heavenly treasure.

The verse warns against setting heart covetously on worldly benefits and pleasures, calling for valuing eternal things and subordinating worldly interests to religion rather than letting them crowd out humble prayerful service. It warns against making gain chief aim or self-gratification life's aim, teaching self-denial, using what can be spared for the cause, devoting self and all to Christ and meeting His cause's necessities first, seeking heavenly treasure with energy spent on worldly wealth.

Money invested in worldly interests, lands and houses belongs to the Lord and should be redirected to His work when needed, with offerings showing gratitude for gospel mercies. Laying up is choosing gifts honoring God, doing good and using property for enduring faithful works into time to come, including building schools to educate youth to teach salvation, with selfishness dying and heart turned heavenward.

Giving possessions to God makes them secure for His purposes, and using them to bless sufferers turns wealth to lasting good rather than keeping for self unto eternal loss. Retaining for selfish use brings eternal loss while giving to God and blessing sufferers makes heavenly treasure secure in His keeping.

Love of wealth can keep from choosing heaven and loving God and neighbors since wealth is lent not owned. Turning affection from riches to use them for God's glory, helping others and becoming rich in good works, lays up treasure, with accountability as stewards and sacrificial giving bringing reward more valuable than earthly profit.

Spending money to gratify pride and show wastes resources for God's work, while denying those desires and sacrificing for truth lays up treasure with lasting return. Earthly display brings remorse and shame benefiting none, while using entrusted means to help needy, advance present truth and turn people to Christ makes rich toward God. What is cheerfully spent for His cause receives angels' regard, frees stewards from earthly treasure and adds to heavenly.

Using means for personal comfort, charitable purposes and good works advancing God's cause lays up treasure. Holding riches instead of helping puts love of world above God, truth and fellow people, and wealth withheld when it could do good may be useless when work is nearly finished.

The warning calls to see greater value of eternal inheritance and use money and influence in God's service rather than choose this world. It is call to use wealth faithfully selflessly for preparing people for Christ's coming rather than putting into possessions for personal security, for Satan seeks to make Heaven undervalued though its riches surpass costliest earthly treasures.

Earthly riches are temporary, can decay or be taken when judgments come and cannot protect owners, and those prizing wealth and enjoyment above God may lose everything and find life failed, while true wealth is being rich toward God. Those striving for them are never satisfied and unhappy, and seeing this people become alarmed, turn and seek true lasting riches.

Earthly wealth is temporary while treasure sent ahead has lasting value, and giving possessions to advance God's work and help others receive truth lays it up with share in final reward. A costly personal gift sold and money sent to meet mission need becomes heavenly treasure.

Earthly wealth must not hold heart, for entrusted means are God's property to be used faithfully for His glory with first claim recognized. Affection for wealth can hinder obedience and weaken faith shown by works, so attachment should be withdrawn from earthly and directed to heavenly with affections governed by Spirit leading toward purity. This calls to live for next world through unselfish thoughts and actions rather than self-centered temporal concerns.

Earthly possessions vulnerable to decay and theft should not be lasting investment, but talents and property entrusted are to be used for doing good as pilgrims toward heavenly country whose work will be tested at judgment when books are opened and recorded deeds faced. Laying up means using resources to serve God and care for poor rather than selfish gratification, showing whether eternal riches are valued.

Storing in heaven secures eternal riches, for every person uses God's money as steward. Spending it to gratify selfish passions embezzles His goods leaving widow and fatherless crying in hunger, overwork, sickness and distress as lovers of pleasure more than God, while Christ gave life as Substitute giving probation in which the converted show appreciation by obeying all commandments and perfecting character.

Investing energy in land and material wealth while neglecting spiritual needs leaves unprepared for life with God, calling to live in humble dependence and use entrusted means to do good. Heavenly riches must be pursued diligently, becoming rich for eternity through earnest work, not making earthly possessions chief object since they do not last.

Earthly treasures should not be accumulated but during waiting time should decrease rather than increase. Laying up in heaven is God's way to counter selfishness and self-pleasing, for earthly possessions are not lasting treasures.

Earthly treasure is insecure and what people value belongs either to God's work or opposing cause, for anything not devoted to God strengthens that cause. Those belonging to Christ must give undivided service and use abilities and resources for others' salvation, placing treasure in God's storehouse to carry work to new fields rather than leaving millions hindered under domination.

Not putting money into earthly property but transferring it to heaven's bank by putting into Lord's treasury lays treasure beforehand on foundation as gold, silver and precious stones standing great day's fire, so no sacrifice at all. It is kept by refusing needless expense like rich dress, wearing plain simple neat dress exerting good influence, and putting savings into His cause.

Not using money for personal glory or on body but investing for God's glory is required, for keeping houses, furniture and fine clothing for self is laying up on earth. Refusing that storing is selling property, sending money to supply missions and clothe widow and fatherless, depositing in God's treasure in heaven.

Those having possessions have work of fully consecrating them instead of serving treasure. When truth bears on heart some bring sacrifice almost to altar but do not fully consecrate, and as saving influence wears away love of world revives showing battle between truth and love of world.

Use of entrusted money shows whether faithful and fit for eternal riches, for investing in earthly enterprises while withholding from God's work shows earthly valued more. Gifts spent on worldly interests while God's work neglected reveal selfishness and misplaced trust, while investing in eternal things shows they are valued more than temporal gains. Means are of value only as used to advance kingdom and send truth to other nations, requiring self-denial following Him who left riches and glory becoming poor that men might be made rich. Risking for worldly enterprises while unwilling to venture for God, withholding surplus, blinds to work's importance, times' solemnity, eternal riches, Calvary and soul worth bought at infinite price.

Giving up world and getting it out of heart instead of remaining low and discouraged is required, laying property such as farm upon altar to sell part or all in struggle for freedom. Pleading to keep treasure here is forbidden, since urging to hold it blocks full liberty.

When earthly treasures and dearest attachments are taken away believers should not grieve as if lasting treasure were gone, because Christ supplies lack with more of Himself. He sends richest grace in deepest sorrow, with trials and losses purifying, refining and fitting for immortality unto praise and thanksgiving.

Means are not to be laid up for personal pleasure or enriching self but used to build advantages helping suffering humanity. Time, strength and goods must not be used selfishly because little time remains amid danger, but stored by using knowledge of truth, wisdom and endowments as sanctified means to advance His cause with growing faith and likeness to Jesus, obeying light so truth sanctifies and transforms.

Every family member should cut selfish indulgence, not envy rich, learn self-denial and use entrusted goods to secure heavenly riches by working wholly on Lord's side, helping one another, studying Christ, taking cross, loving and serving God. Treasure in heaven beside throne as insurance in heaven's banks is laid up by using His money for poor of royal family, suffering, homeless widows and fatherless, while laying on earth and neglecting poor loses mansions, riches, fame and soul though Christ became poor that all might possess eternal riches. Property is trust and talent for advancing truth and saving souls, with harvest proportionate to giving.

Seeking heavenly treasure occurs amid real battle where evil opposes but angels serve with Christ as Captain who overcame world. Earthly wealth and ambition cannot secure heaven and are little beside God's approval. Pursuing earthly treasure without regard for heaven forfeits eternal bliss selling soul to Satan.

Incurring large debts to erect immense sanitarium buildings in one center at Battle Creek while London, Europe and many American cities have nothing is laying up earthly treasure forbidden. Means for sick and medical missionary work should be divided into at least seven plants in many places rather than centering so much where congestion destroys piety and unfits for service.

Money is to be placed where God's work demands help rather than using abundance in own enterprises and purchasing what could be done without while His work in other lands struggles in poverty. Those with abundant facilities must share to sustain essential interests in new fields so health work may be placed on proper self-sustaining basis.

Disregarding command to store heavenly treasure dishonors Jesus who gave life so people could have home with Him, for heart follows treasure. Attachment can lead to withholding from His cause even as life closes, though earthly treasure cannot endure. Christ's blessings and yielding heart are more valuable than any earthly treasure which cannot buy them, and choosing His prepared path instead of burdens of care brings peace and rest.

Goods must not be kept for selfish use but God's first claim honored and poor cared for even at personal cost or sacrifice. Using wealth to bless needy and suffering, showing hospitality and service, is lasting investment preparing to lay hold on eternal life, bearing His ownership secure in unchanging care, while keeping for self brings eternal loss. No one should settle contentedly closing eyes and hands to wants, but cast aside selfish ambitions and strife for place, help others enjoy God's precious things, and remember blessing others brings sure return even to heaven and life measuring with God's life.

Life should not center on earthly pleasure and self-gratification, but question about heavenly treasure points to living for God and doing good rather than serving self, which is true happiness making life beneficial to others. Earthly possessions vulnerable to decay and theft are not secure, so followers should use entrusted goods during lifetime to advance God's kingdom and save souls where safe, directing resources heavenward rather than binding in worldly enterprises through faithful stewardship.

Earthly wealth is insecure while heavenly investment is secure, applied to saving wisely by setting aside wages, keeping reserve for need, and giving to God's work rather than spending carelessly or trusting risky schemes. Money and abilities are entrusted for His glory and others' good.

Keeping wealth for self is forbidden but becoming poor by Christ's example required, devoting substance to God's cause instead of self-indulgence. Hoarding is soul-periling leaving curse to children, for heirs of hoarded wealth often spend in extravagance until beggars, while imparting lays up treasure bringing peace now and eternal riches.

Means used to bolster family business and help children out of difficulties is treasure on earth, while means placed in His treasury for advancing work is imperishable in heaven. Spending to support children casting off truth and transgressing Sabbath does not save souls but takes God's due substituting idols, while investing for God would have made parents and children better.

Moving West is to be for winning souls and upholding truth, not for honor or riches, showing this world not home by loosening earthly entanglements and setting affections on heavenly lasting inheritance. Earthly property temporary can draw trust in wealth, and giving control to children can weaken parents' ability to fulfill responsibility and tempt children to value wealth more than eternal things.

Making earthly wealth life's object, chief care or chief aim is warned against, for it is vulnerable and setting heart on it draws from faithfulness. Large attractive properties can display worldly attachment suggesting this world home, while accumulating land claiming later help can still be laying up when consuming time in labor and debt leaving little for prayer and service. The contrast calls wealthy to use means to lead people to Christ and lay up enduring treasure, expecting heavenly treasure according to heavenly investment with prosperity possibly removed as test, investing sparingly for God from feeling safer in earthly increase.

Heavenly treasure must be sought earnestly or it will not be gained, and religious life must not be ruled by same self-seeking spirit used to acquire possessions.