Where Is Your Treasure?

Matthew 6:19–24

"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..."
(Matthew 6:19–20, ESV)

It is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of more. More money, more stuff, more security. We work hard, we plan ahead, and we build dreams for the future. But in this passage, Jesus challenges us to pause and ask a simple yet powerful question:

Where is your treasure?

Because wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be.

Earthly vs. Eternal

Jesus is not saying possessions are evil. He is not condemning work, savings, or planning. But He is asking us to look at what we are truly building our lives around. Earthly treasure fades. It rusts, decays, gets stolen, or simply loses its value over time. Heavenly treasure, the kind that lasts, is found in the way we love, serve, give, and trust.

It is not about how much you have. It is about what you value most.

The Eyes of the Heart

Jesus goes on to talk about the eyes being the lamp of the body. That might feel like a shift in topic, but it is actually deeply connected. He is saying that how you see things, how you perceive the world, shapes your entire life. If your vision is fixed on eternal things, your life will be full of light. But if your vision is clouded by greed, selfishness, or pride, darkness begins to grow.

Where you look is where you will walk.

You Cannot Serve Both

Jesus closes this section with a strong line:
“You cannot serve God and money.”

That word “serve” is important. It is not about using money. It is about being mastered by it. We all serve something. The question is this: are we serving God with what we have, or are we serving what we have as if it is our god?

Heart Check

This passage invites reflection, not shame. It is a reminder to re-center and ask ourselves:

  • What am I chasing right now?

  • What do I worry about most?

  • Where does my time and attention go?

  • Is God really first, or just somewhere in the mix?

A Better Treasure

Jesus is not asking us to give up joy. He is offering a better one. A joy that is not fragile or fleeting. A treasure that cannot be stolen or spoiled. A life that is rooted in things eternal—love, faith, truth, and purpose.

So again, the question comes back: Where is your treasure?

Because where your treasure is, your heart follows.