Treasures That Can Be Stored in Heaven According to Scripture
Jesus instructs his followers to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" [1]. This teaching contrasts earthly possessions, which are subject to decay and theft, with heavenly treasures that are eternal and secure.
The New Testament frequently uses the concept of "heaven" to refer to God's dwelling place and the ultimate destination for believers [3]. It is described as a holy and everlasting realm [3]. The idea of storing up treasures in heaven is often interpreted as investing in spiritual rather than material wealth. One interpretation suggests that this involves liberally communicating to the poor, thereby putting earthly treasures into God's hands in heaven [5]. This act provides "bags which wax not old, and a treasure in heaven that faileth not" [5].
The "kingdom of heaven" itself is likened to a hidden treasure in a field, which a person joyfully sells everything to acquire [2]. This parable emphasizes the immense value of the kingdom and the commitment required to obtain it [10]. Some interpretations identify Jesus Christ as this true treasure, in whom "there is an abundant" [10]. Others view the Gospel as the treasure, consisting of rich truths, valuable blessings, and precious promises that reveal the riches of God and Christ [11].
The nature of these heavenly treasures is further illuminated by descriptions of the new heavens and new earth [4]. In this renewed creation, things considered precious and luxurious on earth, such as gold, are depicted as common building materials in heaven [6]. For instance, the New Jerusalem is described with streets of pure gold, like transparent glass, and foundations adorned with every kind of precious stone [6, 7]. This imagery suggests a reversal of earthly values, where material wealth holds little significance compared to spiritual realities. The ultimate vision includes a new community and home for God's people, fashioned by God, which serves as a site of holy perfection and an ultimate Garden of Eden [9]. This new creation also involves the transformation of believers' bodies into glorious bodies [8].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 6:20 (BSB) — But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
- Matthew ““Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. -- Matthew 13:44”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heaven — Created by God -- Ge 1:1; Re 10:6. Everlasting -- Ps 89:29; 2Co 5:1. Immeasurable -- Jer 31:37. High -- Ps 103:11; Isa 57:15. Holy -- De 26:15; Ps 20:6; Isa 57:15. God's dwelling-place -- 1Ki 8:30; Mt 6:9. God's throne -- Isa 66:1; Ac 7:49. God Is the Lord of. -- Da 5:23; Mt 11:25. Reigns in. -- Ps 11:4; 135:6; Da 4:35. Fills. -- 1Ki 8:27; Jer 23:24. Answers his people from. -- 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:14; Ne 9:27; Ps 20:6. Sends his judgments from. -- Ge 19:24; 1Sa 2:10; Da 4:13,14; Ro 1:18. Christ As Mediator, entered into. -- Ac 3:21; Heb 6:20; 9:12,24. Is all-po”
- 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 3:13: 3:13 the new heavens and new earth: See Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:20: But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven,.... That is, either be concerned for, and seek after heavenly treasure, the riches of glory, the joys and glories of another world, which infinitely excel everything that is valuable on earth; and which can never be corrupted, or taken away: or rather, lay up your earthly treasures in heaven; that is, put them into the hands of God in heaven; and this is done, by liberally communicating to the poor; by which means men "provide themselves bags which wax not old, and a treasure in heaven that faileth not", Luk 12:33. They s”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:21: 21:21 Things that are precious and luxurious on earth are common building materials in heaven.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21 (introduction): The new heaven and the new earth, Rev 21:1. The new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. God dwells with men; the happy state of his followers, Rev 21:3-7. The wretched state of the ungodly, Rev 21:8. An angel shows John the holy city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10. Her light, wall, gates, and foundations, described, Rev 21:11-21. God and the Lamb are the temple and light of it, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23. The nations and kings of the earth bring their glory and honor to it; the gates shall never be shut, nor shall any defilement enter into it, Rev 21:24-27.”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 3:21: 3:21 change them into glorious bodies: See 1 Cor 15:42-54; cp. Rom 8:23. • he will bring everything under his control: See 1 Cor 15:24-27.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:1: 21:1–22:9 The final scenes of the new heaven and earth are striking pictures of a new community and home for God’s people that is fashioned and given by God. These scenes help to lift the spirits of persecuted Christians. John lays out his basic vision (21:1-8) and follows it with two expansions: (1) In 21:9-27, he presents the new Jerusalem as the site of holy perfection; (2) in 22:1-5, he describes the new Jerusalem as the ultimate Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve could have experienced had they not sinned. 21:1 The vision involves God’s creation of the new ”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 13:44: We have four short parables in these verses. I. That of the treasure hid in the field. Hitherto he had compared the kingdom of heaven to small things, because its beginning was small; but, lest any should thence take occasion to think meanly of it, in this parable and the next he represents it as of great value in itself, and of great advantage to those who embrace it, and are willing to come up to its terms; it is here likened to a treasure hid in the field, which, if we will, we may make our own. 1. Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in him there is an abundan”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:42: Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure,.... By which is meant, not eternal life, the incorruptible inheritance, riches of glory, treasure in heaven; nor Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and all the riches of grace and glory; but the Gospel, which is a treasure consisting of rich truths, comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones; of the most valuable blessings, and of exceeding great, and precious promises; and reveals the riches of God, of Christ, and of the other world; and is a treasure unsearchable, solid, satisf”