How to Store up Treasures in Heaven Matthew 6:19-21 Devotional

In this Matthew 6:19-21 Devotional, we’ll explore what it means to store up treasures in heaven, discover the difference between earthly wealth and eternal riches, and learn why following Jesus’ teaching in this passage brings lasting value to our Christian life. As we walk through this scripture together, you’ll see how God’s hand guides us toward what truly matters and how your heart can find real security in Him.

The world tells us that having wealth, or treasure, is the most important thing in life. And that having money is what gives us worth as people. The more treasure we accumulate, the better off we’ll be.

In my life, there never seems to be enough money to go around. I live on a tight budget and I try to make every dollar stretch. I save for a rainy day, but, honestly, when it comes to financial matters, it’s always pouring. Somehow, by the grace of God, my family makes it through, the bills get paid, and the groceries are bought.

Maybe your life is like this, too. I know so many of us are in this same situation.

Because we are, it seems we’re always on the lookout for that proverbial “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”. And if we can’t have a cute green leprechaun to call our own, we can wish on a star that we’ll win it big in the lottery or inherit from a long-lost rich relative. If that doesn’t work out, maybe we can work eighty hours a week to finally get ahead. That sounds like a lot of fun, right?!

As much as I would love for one of these get-rich-quick plans to work in our favor, I seriously doubt they will.

But God has a plan for us. A perfect plan to give us lasting wealth. It’s not wealth in the traditional sense, but something much greater.

I’d like to share with you what Jesus said about true wealth and what He thinks gives us value.

What is the Meaning of Matthew 6:19-21?

When we open the book of Matthew, we find Jesus teaching one of the most well-known lessons from the Sermon on the Mount. The people of Jesus’ day weren’t any different from us. They wanted a simple life where they could go to work, pay the bills, and take care of their families. But they faced the same financial hardships we do. That’s why Jesus’ words are timeless and still speak powerfully into our lives today. This passage of scripture reminds us that the treasures we pursue say a lot about the condition of our hearts, and the Word of God gives us clear guidance on where we should place our true priorities.

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 NKJV

In these verses, Jesus contrasts the temporary nature of earthly wealth with the eternal value of heavenly treasures. He calls us to live with eternity in mind, not just how we’re going to get through the day. And He gently reminds us that what we treasure most will always reveal what’s in our hearts. Matthew 6:19-21 is God’s version of a get-rich-quick plan, and it’s a whole lot different from our own. Instead of focusing on money or possessions, He points us to something far more lasting… treasures that can’t be destroyed or stolen.

These verses are rich with meaning, so let’s look closely at each part of the passage and discover how it applies to our daily lives…

Lay Up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven

The phrase “lay up for yourselves” in verses 19 and 20 means “give priority to”, so these words of Jesus are about the priorities we have in life. Our priority as followers of Jesus should always be to have a lasting relationship with our Savior and to reflect His light to the world.

I often ask myself, “What are my priorities, and are they pleasing to God?” Sometimes my priorities are in line with God’s. And other times, it becomes obvious I need to do a real gut check and change my way of thinking.

The truth is, it’s easy to let material possessions creep into that top spot in our hearts. We may not even realize it’s happening, one day, we’re just trying to make ends meet, and the next, we find ourselves measuring our worth by the things we own or the things we wish we had. But Jesus reminds us that true treasure isn’t found in earthly gain, it’s found in Him.

Laying up treasures in heaven is about living with intentionality, putting God first, and investing in eternal rewards rather than temporary ones. When we prioritize loving God, serving others, and living in obedience to His Word, we’re choosing treasures that will never fade.

Earthly Treasures Fade Away

The phrase “where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” is a powerful metaphor of how fragile earthly treasures really are. Jesus used these words to remind us that no matter how much we accumulate, nothing in this world is truly secure or lasting. It all eventually fades away.

Society tells us that having “stuff” will make us happy and give us meaning in life. They say that the more “treasure” you have, the better off you’ll be. But material objects can be broken, stolen, or lost. And in the end, they won’t give us the happiness we’re looking for.

It’s true, we all need money to survive, and it isn’t necessarily bad to have things. It’s the importance we place on them that makes them worldly instead of heavenly. And when “stuff” becomes more important to us than anything else, we’re missing out on the blessings God wants to give us.

Earthly treasures fade, but heavenly treasures are forever. That’s why Jesus calls us to shift our focus from what fades to what lasts, investing our hearts in Him and the eternal treasures of His kingdom.

There Your Heart Will Be Also

The condition of our hearts is what is most important to God, and in verse 21, that’s what Jesus is talking about. When our focus is on making money and accumulating material wealth, then we aren’t making room in our hearts for Jesus. But when we focus on the spiritual rewards of a Christian life, our walk with Jesus will be greatly improved, and our hearts will be opened to receiving His blessings.

The phrase “there your heart will be also” reminds us that our hearts naturally follow what we value most. If our treasure is wrapped up in material wealth, then our hearts will chase after earthly things that never truly satisfy us spiritually. But if our treasure is in Christ, then our hearts will be drawn closer to Him and shaped by His everlasting love.

So, how do we store up treasures in heaven? The answer sounds so simple, but sometimes, as we go through lif,e it gets lost in the jumble.

When we live for Christ Jesus, that’s when we are laying up our treasures in heaven! Our priority should always be our personal relationship with Him, walking with Him every day, and sharing our faith with other people. And as we set our hearts on Him, the promise of this verse comes alive… where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

This truth naturally leads us to wonder… what exactly are these treasures in heaven that Jesus talks about, and how can we store them up in our daily lives? Let’s find out together…

What Are the Treasures in Heaven in Matthew 6:19-21?

Our reward is waiting for us in heaven. And guess what…Jesus Christ, is that reward! He is our treasure, and the eternal life we have in Him is worth far more than anything this world could ever offer.

But at the same time, we don’t want to forget that what we do here on earth matters. Our job as Christians is bigger than just paying the bills. It’s to show others the way to heaven through our words and actions. Then they will repeat the cycle of sharing the gospel and begin to lay up their treasures in heaven too. It’s the circle of life!

When Jesus talks about storing up treasures in heaven, He’s pointing us toward the kind of riches that last forever. The treasures of this world… money, possessions, recognition… fade away. They may give us a little comfort for a little while, but they can never compare to the eternal life we have in Christ. Heavenly treasures are the rewards of a life lived in faith, obedience, and love for God and others.

Paul echoes this truth in his letter to the Corinthians…

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
1 Corinthians 3:12-13 NIV

This scripture reminds us that the things of this world will not survive the test of time or the refining fire of God’s judgment. But the work we do for His kingdom, sharing the gospel, showing kindness, serving others, becomes treasure that lasts. These heavenly treasures reflect our devotion to Christ and the fruit of a life rooted in Him.

When we focus on the eternal rather than the temporary, our perspective shifts. Instead of chasing after fleeting rewards, we begin to invest in what will matter forever… our relationship with Jesus, and the way we live out His love here on earth.

Earthly Treasures vs Heavenly Treasures

We all know how tempting it can be to hold tightly to the possessions and comforts of this world. The next scripture gives us a clear example of how hard it can be to let go of earthly things when they have a hold on our hearts. Jesus used this powerful moment to teach His disciples that earthly wealth often stands in the way of receiving the greater reward of heavenly things.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 19:23-24 NKJV

The story of the rich young ruler is a vivid reminder that earthly things can easily take priority over eternal ones. This man had wealth, status, and security, yet when Jesus invited him to give it all up and follow Him, he walked away sad. Why? Because his heart was tied to earthly possessions rather than heavenly things.

Jesus’ words here cut straight to the truth… earthly wealth is fragile and temporary, while heavenly treasure lasts forever. The pull of money, possessions, and comfort can cloud our vision and keep us from fully embracing the kingdom of God.

The lesson is clear, while it’s not sinful to have earthly things, they shouldn’t become the center of our hearts. Instead, Jesus calls us to live with open hands, using what we have for His glory and keeping our eyes fixed on heavenly things that bring eternal life and joy. And this is why Paul reminds us of the danger of loving money more than God, urging us to guard our hearts against a desire that leads so many away from true faith. Let’s take a closer look at His warning about the love of money and why it’s such a danger to our faith.

The Danger of Loving Money

For human beings, it doesn’t matter how much money we have, we always want more. But God’s Word makes it clear that while money itself isn’t evil, the love of it can quickly lead us away from God’s best. When our hearts cling to wealth more than to the Lord, it becomes a stumbling block in our Christian walk.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

This scripture reminds us that desiring money above everything fills us with sorrow instead of satisfaction. Earthly riches may glitter like gold for a time, but they tarnish quickly and can never satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. Just think about the last time you looked at social media. Did you ever compare what you have with what others post online? Instead of giving us contentment, the love of money distracts us from storing up heavenly treasures, trapping us in a cycle of striving instead of resting in God’s love.

But in sharp contrast, when we set our hearts on the treasures of heaven, we find peace, purpose, and the lasting joy that only comes from walking with Christ. The eternal rewards of knowing Him far outweigh anything this world can offer. And as disciples of Jesus Christ, we’re called to keep our focus on the eternal, trusting God’s hand to provide what we need and using our resources to serve His Kingdom.

God’s Hand and Our Treasures

When it comes to money, it’s easy to think of it as ours alone. But the truth is, everything we have belongs to God. He has simply entrusted us with His resources for a little while, and how we use them reflects where our hearts really are.

Worldly wealth can distract us from what really matters. When we hold on too tightly to money or possessions, we risk missing out on the greater blessings God wants to give us. The problem isn’t money itself—it’s how we use it. If we see it only as ours to control, it becomes empty. But when we recognize it as God’s money and use it to serve His Kingdom, it takes on eternal value.

That’s why He gave us this powerful promise…

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3:10 NIV

This verse shows us the love of God in action. He doesn’t just ask us to trust Him with our finances… He invites us to test Him, promising to pour out blessings beyond measure when we faithfully give back to Him. It’s a reminder that God’s hand is always at work, taking what seems small in our eyes and multiplying it in ways we could never imagine. As we place our trust in His promises, His hand not only provides for our needs but also reshapes our hearts to treasure Him above all else. And when we treat money as God’s money, surrendering it for His glory, we exchange temporary gain for eternal rewards and discover the real treasure, living under the open floodgates of His provision, grace, and love.

Practical Ways to Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21 remind us that true treasure isn’t found in the things of this world but in the eternal blessings of God’s Kingdom. That’s good news for us, because no matter what our income is or how many possessions we have, we can all build a good foundation that lasts forever. Here are some different ways to begin laying up treasures in heaven today…

Love others deeply – Every act of kindness, forgiveness, or compassion reflects the love of God and points others to Him.
Serve with a willing heart – Use your time, gifts, and talents to bless others. Whether in your church, community, or home, performing good works is an eternal investment.
Invest in God’s money wisely – Treat your finances as God’s money and use them to support His work. Giving to missions, ministries, or those in need opens the floodgates of blessing.
Share the gospel – Telling others about Christ Jesus is one of the greatest treasures we can store in heaven, because it has an eternal impact.
Pray faithfully – Every prayer draws you into an intimate connection with God and aligns your heart with His.
Obey the Word of God – Daily choices rooted in His truth lay a firm foundation for eternal rewards.
Live with eternity in mind – Don’t get caught up in earthly things that fade. Keep your eyes on the things of heaven that bring lasting joy and eternal life.

These aren’t just good habits to adopt, they’re treasures that can never be taken away, treasures that reveal what is truly in our hearts.

Where Is Your Heart Today?

I pray you will join me in asking yourself these questions… What is my priority? Is it acquiring wealth? Or is it my relationship with Jesus and bringing other people to Him? If we search deep within our hearts and ask God to reveal the areas of our lives that keep us from having a meaningful relationship with Him, we can rest assured that He will give us the answer.

In this Matthew 6:19-21 Devotional, we’ve been reminded that the treasures of this world are fleeting, but the treasures of God’s Kingdom will last forever. When we choose to set our hearts on the things of heaven, we build a good foundation that can never be shaken.

May you store up real treasure in heaven today and always—living with a heart centered on Christ Jesus, walking daily in His love, and sharing the hope of eternal life with those around you.