[CYM] 17.0 Store Treasures in Heaven

Yeshua repeatedly commanded His followers to seek eternal rewards rather than earthly wealth, urging them to store up treasures in heaven. This teaching reveals the priorities of the kingdom of God and challenges materialism.

In Matthew, Yeshua clearly instructs:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:19–20).

He warns that earthly treasures are temporary—subject to decay and theft—while heavenly treasures are eternal. This command is followed by, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21), emphasizing that our investments reveal our loyalties.

Luke echoes this teaching with added urgency. Yeshua tells the crowd, sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth (Luke 12:33). This follows His warning against greed in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16–21), where a man stores earthly wealth but dies without being rich toward God.

Mark presents the same idea in Yeshua’s response to the rich young ruler, who is told, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me (Mark 10:21). The man’s sadness highlights how earthly attachment can hinder eternal gain.

While John doesn’t use the phrase directly, the command appears as Yeshua calls His followers to seek eternal life, not temporary satisfaction, and promises reward for faithfulness. In John 6:27 it is recorded that Yeshua says to His followers, labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Across the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Yeshua commands believers to live for heaven’s rewards—investing in God’s kingdom through generosity, faith, and obedience.