Treasure in Heaven

By Ron and Nathele Graham

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

We hear a lot of talk these days about wars and rumors of war, strong earthquakes everywhere, famine, pestilence, and more. Obviously we are in the last days and the Rapture is on the near horizon. There are many commentaries written about these end days and websites abound on the subject; some people can hardly wait for the Rapture but others give prophecy little attention. Whether you are one eagerly awaiting the Rapture or are not interested in prophecy at all you need to ask yourself where your treasure is.

Believers and non-believers alike have lived on planet Earth for the last six thousand years or so and this has been the only home we’ve known. We work to buy a home, a car, education, etc., but where exactly is our treasure? Good or bad, happy or sad, angry or glad this world is where we have grown and flourished and we are used to the idea of working for our retirement or to put food on the table.

As Christians we need to be sure that our own efforts to gather treasures on earth don’t get in the way of our devotion to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our treasure needs to be in heaven, not on earth. Believers should not look to the earthly treasure of this world for assurance. It is temporary and will one day blow away. Our focus needs to be on heavenly treasures and eternal rewards.

“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: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

If we read, study, and believe the Scriptures we are fully aware of something greater existing on our horizon. God does not require believers to be poor, but He does want us to understand that earthly riches pale in comparison to heavenly treasure. Heaven is where eternal treasure is stored.

Most people would love to see the end to war, famine, hatred, all forms of evil, and have everything opposed to our well being eliminated from our environment. For Christians, one day that will be reality. All evil, malice, strife, hatred, envy, sickness, sadness, wealth and poverty will be completely forgotten the moment we enter that heavenly realm.

So why do so many Christians hold onto this earthly existence as though heaven doesn’t exist? Could it be that the riches of this life are so controlling that even believers can’t resist their attraction?

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9).

Pursuing worldly treasure can become more important to a person than pursuing heavenly treasure, and that is when we need to stop and take a good look at what our motivation in life is. Do we serve God and know that there awaits us many rewards in heaven, or do we serve the god of this world?

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

The word “mammon” comes from the Greek word “mamōnas” and simply means treasures and riches. Many Christians love to say “I’m living in the world but I’m not of the world.” Sadly we see that many Christians today have the same mindset as their worldly counterparts. Greed often controls the actions of Christians and non-Christians alike; so they aren’t just in the world but are also of the world and love mammon more than God.

“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter” (James 5:5).

Christian, where is your treasure? Is it in this world serving mammon or have you stored your treasure in heaven by serving God?

How does one store treasure in heaven? It’s simple really. We serve Jesus. By putting Him first in our lives we will be awarded crowns. Not a royal crown but a crown of victory…a “stephanos.” One such crown is for temperance.

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

In other words, control yourself. You will earn a crown in heaven if you control your urges to follow lusts of the flesh. Learn temperance in all matters and gain control over your flesh. Another crown is for those who win souls to Christ.

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1).

Not only did Paul see the believers in Philippi as his joy and “stephanos” but he encouraged them to stand fast in their faith. A crown of rejoicing is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, a crown of righteousness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

Do you love Him? James says when you are tried and endure you will receive a crown of life. There is a crown for being faithful unto death described in Revelation 2:10. Peter encourages his readers to feed the flock of God. Not for riches on earth but to serve the Lord and to be an example to others.

“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).

These crowns are the treasure in heaven that every Christian should strive for, but keep your motive pure…not for personal gain but for His glory.

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Move away from worldly lusts and serve Jesus and your reward will be “stephanos” of victory.



God is not opposed to Christians having money to spare. There were wealthy people among Jesus’ earliest followers. Zacchaeus, Joseph of Arimathea, Lazarus, and Barnabas are just a few, but after they met Jesus they were not ruled by earthly wealth. In fact, after meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus, a publican, returned to the people four times what he had overcharged them. Barnabas sold his property to help support those first Christians who were turned out of the Temple.

Many Christians today have obtained great wealth and that is no sin, but earthly treasures are temporary in the life of the rich, and all Christians should use what they have to serve Jesus. Sin can and will take over when a person, Christian or non-Christian, becomes consumed with attaining wealth. The key word here is consumed.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Wealth can create a significant obstacle to the Kingdom of God, but it doesn’t have to.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” Matthew 19:23-24).

Rich or poor, ask yourself where your treasure is. I hope you see it as being in heaven.

If tomorrow comes and you‘ve lost everything you have, will you trust God to supply your needs? It’s easy to say I’ll trust God when we haven’t really lost anything, but what if you lose your home, your car, your bank account, your family, and all your earthly possessions? That sounds like Job’s situation, doesn’t it?

He was wealthy but lost all he had, including his health. What did Job do? He trusted God.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25).

Even before God entered His creation to redeem us, Job knew Him and trusted Him. How did God reward Job? He was restored to health, he had more children, and his herds grew again. His real treasure was in heaven, and he knew it.

We hold onto worldly treasures way too tightly. We need things like food and shelter, but too often our wants cause us to seek after earthly treasure rather than treasures in heaven. I wonder how many Christians really look forward to His appearing or yearn to win souls for the Lord more than they want a new car. Remember Jesus’ admonition to the young wealthy man who wanted to gain eternal life?

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

That young man’s treasure was not in heaven.

“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22).

His treasure was on earth and he was unable to see any benefit in knowing and following Jesus Christ.

Pride, greed, fear, covetousness, lust are ever recurring themes of trouble throughout the Bible. These sins take our focus off of Jesus and turn hearts to a materialistic world view. The more we have the more we want. Instead of seeing heaven as our real home where we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ, like the rich young man we become enamored with all we can accumulate and our treasure is in earthly desires.

Gaining more earthly treasure becomes our god. There is a direct correlation between where your treasure is and where your heart is. If you regard your material possessions as your treasure then your heart is set here on this earth, and that my friend is a far shot from heaven.

Where is your treasure, Christian? Is it in the First National Bank of Anywhere, or is it in heaven?

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Being Saved is one thing. Keeping your Salvation & running the race til the end is another story!

That is why we need to work out our salvation with FEAR & TREMBLING

What happens to Christians/believers who after being saved but stil commit the following ( i just use sexual sin as an example ) :

- fornicate
- commit adultery
- enjoys pornography
- same sex partner

and continue living like the devil from Mon - Sat even though they believe in Jesus Christ? Will they go to heaven if they die unrepentant?

For, even the al-Kitab says the devil believes in Christ! That does not mean the devil is saved & will go to heaven!



A Christian WILL & MUST bear fruit in this life for the al-Kitab says,

Faith Without Works Is Dead James 2:14-26

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[ works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.





So let this be a warning : your spiritual condition CAN CHANGE after being saved.

There are plenty of verses in the al-Kitab warning against this falling away/back-sliding(very slack term). So pls, pls take heed :

1) If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. Ezek 33:18

2) "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. Ezek. 18:24

3) From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. John 6:66

4) Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck 1 Tim 1:19

5) All unrighteousness is sin, but there is a sin not unto death 1 John 5:17

Sexual immorality is definitely 1 of the sins which lead to death! Death here means spiritual death!

6) If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud." 2 Pet 2:20-22

7) For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. Hebr 10:26

8) They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away Luke 8:13


9), 10) & 11) are repeated warnings!

9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind.... 1 Corinthians 6:9

10) But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur/brimstone. This is the second death." Rev 21:8

11) Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God Gal 5:19 - 21


Now before anyone lynches me, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON ONE THING........I'm not preaching legalism, neither am i preaching salvation by works.

I'll leave everyone here with a final verse, the al-Kitab(Berita Baik) says about those who sin after getting saved:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)

Its indeed thought provoking isn't it?

I expected to ruffle some feathers & rock the boat a bit when i posted I'm glad tat somebody responded. I would also like to knw others POV.

My take on this is :

On a personal level, i dun think we can fall into such deep sin, BUT this is only based on my personal experience.

I think we should all walk very close to God all our lives, always prayerful, be in the Word, don our armor, resist the devil, etc.

Based on personal observation though, have you seen Christians that backslid very, very badly?

Do u ask urself, how come those who were once strong in the Faith could veer off the narrow road so spectacularly?

Were they ever believers/saved in the 1st place to begin wif? ( most common defense used by many )

Do they have the holy spirit living in them? If so, do they harden their hearts to the prompting of the Holy Spirit every time?

If they continue sinning in this vein, would they still make it to heaven but only lose rewards?

The above are extremely common questions which cross our minds.

Have you talked to Christian counselors before? Why don't you ask them about cases where druggies & gays who reverted to sin after getting 'saved' & have been counselled for 6 mths/1 yr? What's the nxt step frm here?

Do we let them drift after they are 'saved' simply b'cos, well, they are oredi saved? Last i checked, most churches have very poor discipling strategies.

Do not be alarmed by my previous post. There is an intense spiritual battle for souls as long as we are still walking on this Earth. I hold on to this verse very strongly & believe with all my heart :

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28






I agree with wat u said here We should behave in such a way after receiving saving grace. Not take it as a license to sin wilfully.



This is not my website. I just go there to read. The owner should filter his articles b4 he approves them.

I recently read an article that took the mid-trib view wonder how it got posted.

Another article whr the author kept saying the world's population is currently at 9 bil

I would like to reiterate, i'm not cheapening Grace with 'Salvation by Works' or what-not doctrine.

Thanks! I knw whr u stand now . I've always taken the approach whr, its best to stay obedient........u knw, better to be safe than sorry b'cos if we are His, he will chastise us. My previous post is more on personal observation of other Christians as well as the Bible verses that i provided.

Oh! Also, i dun believe in Calvinism one neh......

p.s. prophetjul come in say something i need to learn too

This post has been edited by 14-9-2015: Oct 13 2014, 08:32 PM

The gist of my question is basically, what happens then to Christians who live like the devil after being saved without repentance?

What i meant by obedience is like what Sylar333 said :



so dun look too much into it . Christians should behave this way after being saved. tats all.

Finally, i attch 11 verses to my 1st post to u. It would b helpful if u could break it down frm thr & how it reconciles.

Thanks!

Hello unker,

Personally, i think there's too much order for things to be random in the universe.

I mean just look at planet EARTH. Spinning on an axis at a certain angle. Just compare whr we live near the equator to the north & south poles. HOT here but FREEZING COLD elsewhr. If the planet is just off a bit, either closer or further away frm the sun, life would not b possible on this planet.

The correct composition of gases in our atmosphere is another reason. Too little oxygen content & life would also not b possible.

Conditions must be ngam2 for life to exist. Granted, mild fluctuations are allowed, but thr's not much margin for error.

So there must be a BEGINNING & an END to all things, and if thr is a beginning, then there MUST be a CREATOR


I think i can add more questions to your list :

- why do the citizens in North Korea suffer tremendously?
- why are some ppl born wif physical defects?
- why do kids in Africa starve?
- why God didn't make me more handsome/richer/taller, etc ?
- why, why, why????!!!!

What the Bible says on the above is very interesting :

- Man sinned & these are the effects of a fallen world. Its effects are yet to be lifted for the time is yet to come. That is why there is still much pain.
- Although God created everything, he's currently not ruling the Earth with an iron scepter as yet. satan is currently in charge, but God is very much in control .

By the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes there is a very strong tug at the heart. I suppose the spirit is more sensitive when the H.S. comes probing. At least that's how i feel at times I can't speak for every Christian cos i'm not them.

As for your question on sinning wilfully, we stil have free will wat, no meh?

Pls read my reply to Sylar444's post too.

Thanks brahhhhh!

My church doesn't teach this. I read from internet wan. Tats y i said i dun believe in 'salvation by works' doctrine.

Then i read the verses & i go hmmmm but just so u knw, i'm stil having a very hard time in understanding how some Christians can backslide very badly. In ur own circle/experience, do u knw of any ermmm .......bad Christians? Refer to my Christian counsellor line to u. I have no answers for this either & neither do i wish to tempt fate. Sometimes a healthy fear of the Lord does indeed keep us frm sinning.

Nvm. mayb u can gif me ur POV(i wan to knw other Christians stance too ) on another case:

Lets take a look at Judas. He was 1 of the 12 apostles. The 12 who were closes to Jesus & they were indeed privileged to learn frm the (obviously) best teacher

They also witnessed the many miracles tat were performed & learned frm Him. All these events no doubt strengthened their faith in the One. The 12 also had power as described in the following verse:

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1


So......can we safely assume tat Judas was once a genuine believer but later.....well....we knw wat he did & wat happened to him. Or do we say tat Judas had planned to betray Jesus right frm the start of his discipleship wif Christ & tat he nvr believed?

Maybe we say tat he wasn't indwelt by the H.S. since it was b4 the day of Pentecost, so he was susceptible to betray Jesus for a mere 30 pieces of metal?

aiyoh! sori bro! should have quoted u 1st b4 i replied .

Edited: thanks! this is a good explanation.

This post has been edited by 14-9-2015: Oct 13 2014, 11:07 PM

Ha ha ha! yeah mang! exactly! i agree wif the highlighted blue part.

As for the red higlight, pls go ahead

i see.......

sometimes hor, temptation can come on very strongly. then, sometimes it just goes away automatically. at other times, frens can b a bad influence & b a form of temptation too.

yeah ( blue highlight ), sometimes its the conscience. at other times, u knw its too strong a pull to be called conscience. its more of a deep-set conviction tat can only come frm the H.S.

u by any chance have any experience wif or as a Christian counsellor? i've overheard some really hardcore cases tat they're dealing wif & i go
but mostly, to preserve anonymity, counsellors only counsel members frm other churches & vice versa.

wat for??!! isn't it better to remain anonymous on the interweb & discuss in this manner?

irl i might get angry & punch ThePope in the face then how??!

huh! now this guy understands wat i'm trying to present.

ya mang, sometimes u wish it could all b over sooner & all the pain & conflicts deep inside go away once u reach the other side of the Jordan

Oh dear! i'm so sori fabianz05

we have been moving this thread so fast today tat we missed ur post.

On top of all the answers tat u were given, the nxt answer would probably reinforce it further for u......so here goes :

I KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT GOD IS REAL b'cos he speaks to me in the form of the Holy Spirit

God is a spirit & the way he communicates to me is by speaking to my heart.

where as, my spirit communicates wif your spirit through our bodies. our bodies act as a medium on this plain (EARTH).

tat is y ppl always ask whtr God exist.........b'cos they can't see Him

That is why Christians pray. We are not crazy ppl talking to the wall u knw!

as for the explanation of the triune God, pls ask this guy to explain : unknown warrior

Physical Israel la maniakam123 Israel will be the power seat frm whr Christ will rule during the 1000-yr millennial reign.