Investing in Eternity: The True Treasure

Investing in Eternity: The True Treasure Text: Matthew 6:19-34

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts, seeking Your wisdom and truth. As we dive into Your Word, help us to set our eyes on what is eternal and not be consumed by the temporary. Align our desires with Your kingdom and teach us to trust in Your provision. May Your Spirit guide our thoughts and convict our hearts to pursue the true treasure found in Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Introduction: In this passage, Jesus calls His followers to a radical shift in priorities—away from material wealth and toward eternal riches. Our culture emphasizes accumulating wealth, possessions, and financial security. But Jesus warns that earthly treasures are temporary, vulnerable, and ultimately unsatisfying. Instead, He urges us to invest in heavenly treasures, fostering a life of faith, trust, and generosity.

Matthew 6:19–21 NKJV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I. Prioritize Heavenly Possessions

Jesus begins by contrasting two kinds of treasures: earthly and heavenly. Earthly treasures—money, possessions, and status—are perishable. They can be stolen, corrode, or fade. Heavenly treasures, however, are eternal and secure.

Where our treasure is, our heart follows. If we treasure earthly things, our hearts are consumed with material concerns. If we treasure God’s kingdom, our hearts align with His purposes.

The ultimate treasure is knowing Christ:

Philippians 3:8 NKJV

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul talks about considering everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Picture a treasure hunter who searches his whole life for gold and jewels only to find that the true treasure was the friendships and love he had all along. Just as he realized his pursuit was misplaced, we too must understand that our greatest treasure lies not in material wealth but in our relationship with Christ.

True wealth is found in a relationship with Him and investing in His work.

Application: Evaluate where your investments lie. Are you accumulating wealth for self-preservation, or are you giving generously for the sake of the gospel? Align your priorities with eternal values.

Matthew 6:22–23 NKJV

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

II. Pursue Spiritual Sight

Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body. A clear, healthy eye represents a spiritually focused heart, while a bad eye signifies clouded judgment and misplaced priorities.

If our focus is on God’s kingdom, our whole being is full of light. If we fixate on material concerns, our vision becomes spiritually dim. The truth is this: where we fix our eyes and focus is where we will lay up treasures and whom we are going to serve.

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 instructs us to set our minds on things above, not earthly things. When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we gain clarity and purpose.

One day, a group of climbers set out to conquer a challenging mountain. As they ascended, they were tempted to look down and see only the perilous drop beneath them. However, the guide encouraged them to focus on the peak above, reminding them that their goal was to reach the summit. Just as these climbers had to fix their eyes on the prize rather than the distractions below, we too must set our minds on the heavenly things above, allowing that focus to elevate our lives and decisions.

Application: What occupies your spiritual vision? Are you distracted by material pursuits, or are you focusing on God’s eternal kingdom? Pursue spiritual clarity through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

III. Proclaim Devoted Godly Service

Jesus presents an undeniable truth: No one can serve two masters. We will either be devoted to God or enslaved by money.

In ancient times, a servant could only choose one master to serve loyally, as split devotion would lead to betrayal of one or the other. This is vividly illustrated by a story of a servant who tried to balance the demands of two households. As the servant sought to please both, he ended up failing in his duties, disappointing both masters. Just like this servant, we too find ourselves in conflict when we try to serve both God and worldly desires, ultimately hindering our true potential in Christ.

In the context of war, soldiers are bound by duty to serve one commanding officer. If a soldier were to attempt to follow orders from two different leaders, confusion would arise, leading to disastrous outcomes. Similarly, Jesus warns us against the confusion of serving two masters in life. Loyalty to God demands our total commitment, guiding us toward action aligned with His will, while divided loyalties can lead to chaos and defeat in our spiritual journey.

Application: Consider where your allegiance lies. Do you trust in financial security more than God’s provision? Choose to serve Christ wholeheartedly, knowing He is the ultimate provider.

Matthew 6:25–30 NKJV

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

IV. Place Trust in God’s Provision

Jesus turns our attention to God’s care for creation. If He feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, how much more will He provide for us?

Worry is unproductive. It does not add to our lives but instead robs us of peace.

Anxiety reveals misplaced trust. When we worry excessively about material needs, we demonstrate a lack of faith in God’s goodness.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul encourages believers not to be anxious about anything but to present their requests to God, promising that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. This call to prayer reveals that anxiety often stems from relying on ourselves rather than surrendering our concerns to God. True peace and trust in Him corrects our anxious hearts and affirms His sovereignty over our lives.

Application: When you are tempted to worry, remember God's faithfulness. Trust that He knows your needs and will supply them. Replace anxiety with prayer and dependence on Him.

Matthew 6:31–34 NKJV

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

V. Pledge to the Kingdom of God First

Jesus gives a final directive: Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and everything else will be provided.

In the parable of the treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44), a man discovers something of immense value and immediately sells all he has to possess it. This illustrates the importance of prioritizing God's Kingdom above all else. Just as the man made a sacrifice for a treasure, we must be willing to let go of lesser pursuits to embrace the ultimate treasure of God's presence and purpose in our lives. What are you willing to give up to seek what truly matters?

Our primary concern should not be securing material things but pursuing God's will. When we prioritize His kingdom, our needs are met in His perfect timing.

Each day brings enough trouble of its own. Rather than being consumed by future uncertainties, we should focus on present obedience.

Application: Evaluate your priorities. Is seeking God’s kingdom your first pursuit, or is it secondary to personal success? Live in daily obedience and trust in His provision.

Conclusion: Jesus’ teaching in this passage challenges us to examine our hearts. Are we investing in what will last for eternity, or are we consumed with temporary wealth? True treasure lies not in what we gather for ourselves, but in what we invest in God’s kingdom.

Prioritize heavenly possessions.

Pursue spiritual sight by keeping your eyes fixed on Christ.

Proclaim devoted service by choosing God over materialism.

Place trust in God’s provision rather than giving in to anxiety.

Pledge to seek His kingdom first, knowing He will take care of your needs.

In the end, Jesus Himself is our greatest treasure. When we seek Him above all else, we find true fulfillment, security, and peace. Let us live with eternity in mind, investing in what truly matters.

Closing Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your Word and the truth it reveals. Help us to live with eternity in mind, seeking first Your kingdom in all we do. Give us faith to trust in Your provision and courage to invest in what truly matters. May our lives reflect Your goodness and bring glory to Your name. Go with us now, and guide us in Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.