Contentment Part 1: Treasures

The story of the man’s lost bitcoin wallet. He searched for 8 years in a garbage dump to find the $350 Million he had thrown away on a hard drive during spring cleaning.

How many will have an even greater feeling of loss when they realize they threw away eternal, heavenly riches for foolish, earthly ones?

Temporary Treasures on Earth

Jesus’ instruction to us in this text comes in two parts, first a negative command followed by a positive one. Both commands have to do with ‘treasures’ and where you are to place them. The idea is not about the location, however, but the nature of those treasures. That is, it’s not like you have money here that you can somehow invest in heaven, but the kind of treasures that we are to accumulate for ourselves are heavenly ones, not earthly ones, and thus they are kept in a heavenly location. The text ends with a statement about the heart: where we have treasures is where we will have our heart set.

Treasures are simply things that you place value in. The command is not to forgo treasures altogether, but to invest them wisely in an eternal sense. In this life we are given resources and abilities that we can either use to store us treasures here for immediate, temporary enjoyment or to store up treasures for eternal enjoyment.

A Command Implying Contentment in This World

Jesus’ instruction to us here introduces us to the biblical teaching of contentment. Contentment has become a bit of a taboo word in our world today as the American dream and consumerist values have not only become central in the culture around us, but have also infiltrated the church. A local church can become so interested in the growth of numbers, budget, programs, and other outward displays of success that the view of church growth and health has essentially become worldly. In our own lives, getting the best career, highest pay, best benefits, biggest house, most exotic vacations, and best performing children has blinded many from the biblical ideal of contentment.

John defines worldliness as lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride in possessions (1 John 2:16-17). Interestingly, the first two of those areas have to do with lust, or unrighteous desires. Worldliness is motivated by desires triggered by what we see or what we feel that are wrong or idolatrous. The final area has to do with pride in what you have. In other words, worldliness can be defined as wanting more than what you have and being sinfully proud of what you do have. So we see that worldliness is the opposite of contentment.

Value

According to Christ, in our text, worldliness can be viewed as storing up treasures here in this world. What Jesus is pointing at here is not the number in your bank account or the size of your home, but rather where your intentions and actions show you place value. The principle is best illustrated in Christ’s own parable of the pearl.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matt 13:45-46)

The difference between the contented person and the worldly person is what kind of peals do they find valuable. There is a certain avarice in a godly person, but it is a greed for gain of another kind which we will get into in a bit. The worldly person, however, looks at that heavenly pearl, looks at the pearls of worldly gain and pleasure, and judges the latter to be worth more than the former. How many times has a priceless artifact worth millions been sold for pocket change at a garage sale simply because the owner did not recognize the value of what they had. So it is that those who pursue worldly gain, their problem is not that they are pursuing gain, but that the gain they are pursuing is severely overvalued. They, like the man who built his house on the sand, do not listen to God’s judgement of the value of worldly things and invest in it anyway. People will listen to Warren Buffet and other millionares when investing in stock, but will not listen to the creator of all material things.

Jesus then gives us a logical reason why we should not invest in this world, it’s pleasures, gains, and promised returns. He points us to the fact that all worldly things end. The person who puts their hope in the joys that this life can promise would do well to read the book of Ecclesiastes carefully.

Ecclesiastes 1:2–3 ESV

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 ESV

So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

but on the contrary, the Teacher says,

Ecclesiastes 3:14 ESV

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

Think of one thing that you can pursue in this life that lasts. You want to pursue money? How unfulfilling and unstable it is, able to fly away with the simple announcement from your doctor that you are going to die of cancer. Sex? Both the desire and ability to please yourself sexually fades with time. Status? Again, unstable and unrewarding, a slave master to all how serve it. Food and drink? As soon as your swallow it is gone and forgotten. Wisdom and knowledge? The great philosopher Niche died a mad man. Vacations? Create memories that will only depress you with longing for more until you are spent and find no joy in the adventure anymore. Drugs and alcohol? The intensity of that pleasure only shortens the life you could enjoy them with. Career? You will retire and loose all you worked for. Health? You have little control over it. Truly, all these things disappear as quickly as a cloud of breath does on a cold day.

This clear logic is what Jesus is referring to by moth, rust, and thieves. Whatever you obtain in this world, someone or something will take it from you, be it a robbery, an accident, or simply the slow decay of time. Death, in the end, has the final say and ends all worldly gain. The Apostle James says

James 1:9–11 ESV

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

The Dangers of Worldly Gain

But more than this, there is great danger in pursuing good things in this world. Over and over again the NT warns us against the deceitfulness of riches and how easily they can take from us what is truly valuable. Let us look at a few examples:

1 Timothy 6:9–10 ESV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

James 5:1–3 ESV

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.

How foolish it is to lay up treasures in the last days. Not only will they eventually rot, but they will depreciate very quickly very soon. The end of this world is near, the beginning of the next is at hand, how miserable those Christians will be who, though they may achieve eternal life by faith in Christ, they will see the waste of many hours of effort on things that spoiled in the end.

Mark 10:25 ESV

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

So not only do the treasures of this world rot quickly, they are also dangerous to our soul. This does not mean that there are no rich Christians or that a Christian cannot serve God with great wealth, but it is saying that wealth is not something any Christian should want. Those who have it should see it as a massive responsibility, not a privilege, as if those riches were for their own consumption. Thomas Watson writes,

“remember that these outward comforts cannot make you blessed. You might live rich and die cursed. You might treasure up an estate, and God might treasure up wrath. Be not perplexed (or don’t be concerned) about those things the lack of which cannot make you miserable, nor the enjoyment make you blessed” in other words, don’t be upset when you miss out on what cannot actually make you happy.

I am not ignorant to the time of hyperinflation in which we live. I know many of you are likely concerned about how you may be able to afford living in the future. Jesus teaching on contentment can put us at ease in these things. If we lack food, we may feast on his word. If we lack housing, we may take refuge in his name. We will look later at how God takes care of your earthly needs just as he does for the birds of the air, but for now let us focus on where true blessings lie: in heaven. For it is much better that you should lack the necessities in this life and have an abundance of riches in the next than if the opposite were true. Better to be a beggar who is set to inherit a Kingdom than a CEO billionaire whose riches will give him no comfort beyond this short, uncertain life.

Eternal Treasures in Heaven

Now when we talk about blessings in heaven, this can seem very immaterial and vague. What does it mean to have treasures in heaven?

First, let us consider what it means to have treasures in heaven, then we will look at the nature of those treasures. While heaven is a specific location, it is not the location that is important but rather what is heaven that makes it so special a place to invest ourselves in.

In short, heaven is the dwelling place of God. Deut 26:15

Deuteronomy 26:15 ESV

Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’

The NT puts the land of milk and honey and God’s holy habitation together. While the Israelite were looking forward to an earthly country, that was not the focus of Abraham’s faith, Hebrews 11:10

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:16 ESV

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

When God gave his promise of blessing to Jacob, he showed him a ladder leading to heaven in Genesis 28:12. This shows us that it was always God’s intention that the promises made to God’s people were meant to open a way into his presence.

When Paul talks about worldly riches to Timothy, and the pursuit of those riches, he says,

1 Timothy 6:11–12 ESV

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

These things refers to the love of riches in this world. Later, he instructs those rich in this world in 1 Tim 6:18-19

1 Timothy 6:18–19 ESV

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

From these passages we see two things about the nature of this reward. First, it is found in the presence of God. This puts the goods of this world at odds with being in the presence of God. As Jesus will say later just a few verses on from our text, you cannot serve both God and money. That is, you cannot expect to have riches in the presence of God if you are pursuing all the good things you can get in this world.

The second things we find concerning the nature of this reward is that it is what Paul calls “truly life.” What do we use money, or any resource in this world, for except to make our lives better. Why do people go to expensive restaurants, buy PS5s, or spend their energy to get to the top of the company by putting in extra hours? Is it not to make our life better and more worth living? But Paul tells us that true life is found in the presence of God in an eternal sense. Perhaps this refers to a sweeter, more intimate enjoyment of the presence of God in eternity. Jesus does speak of some being greater in the Kingdom of Heaven, especially those who are humble in their practice of faith. While we cannot say exactly what this reward is, we know that:

It is eternal in nature.

It is in the presence of God, where it can eternally be enjoyed most fully.

It is according to your actions here on earth. A sort of wage God graciously gives to those who abandon the pursuits of this life for the good of the Kingdom.

Enjoying it will be the epitimy of true life. When you get to enjoy it for all eternity, you will think to yourself, this is what I’ve been waiting for. This is all I’ve ever wanted, and now that I have it I know I shall never be without it.

The Dwelling Place of your Heart

Like I mentioned before, there is a holy avarice and ambition in godly contentment. Being content in this world is only achievable by being ambitious for the next. When you truly recognize that all you do for the Kingdom and the Glory of God here will be rewarded with unimaginable treasure that we will enjoy before God like a child enjoys their Christmas presents at the feet of their loving father and mother, you will pour your whole self into that.

This is what Jesus means at the end of our text in verse 21, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The heart is not merely emotional, but the central focus of your entire being. It is what you live for. Notice that it does not say, where your heart is, there your treasure will be. You must first put your treasure there, than your heart will naturally follow it to heaven. If you invest in heaven, your heart will begin to value heavenly blessing. If you invest in the goods of this world, your heart will remain here. The latter is where our sinful hearts naturally wanted to, so we must lead our hearts to heavenly things. This means that at first your heart will not be set on heaven. Strive to discipline your heart, which will be painful, to abandon worldly pursuits and indulge in heavenly treasures. Pray to your Father in secret, encourage yourself in the state of a Blessed One by pursuing a poor heart, mourning for sin, hunger for righteousness, mercy, willingness to suffer, peacemaking and discourage worldly gains. Give without letting your right hand know what your left hand is doing. Fast secretly. Kill lust and coveteousness. Spread the Gospel.

Christians must also abstain from worldly pursuits. Don’t pursue a better housing situation if you can live where you are. Don’t go after a promotion at work if you can live sustainably on what you currently make. Don’t miss church for sports or even because you don’t feel great or the weather is bad today. Take time to pray with other believers, be well-studied in the Scriptures, serve in the church with all your might, don’t let any idolatry enter your life, cast off the burden or worry for finances, give generously, house the saints, sacrifice yourself for the work. A day will hopefully come when we consider a church plant, and God may call some of you to pack up, leave your life, and live in a remote part of northern Canada ministering to our aboriginal population who desperately need the Gospel. If God asked the rich young man to sell all he had, give to the poor, and follow him, do you think he will ask any less of you? But do not be discouraged, every sacrifice you make, every effort you put in, every prayer prayed in faith, every action you take against your sinful flesh will be rewarded in the best kind of way. How is it that the false prosperity Gospel can attract so many when ours is the true Gospel of prosperity, a heavenly prosperity. But it takes faith, true faith. those who believe in a prosperity Gospel don’t need true faith, they see the cars the jets and mansions of their false teachers and are told they can have that too. But ours is heavenly, unseen but much more real. Theirs is a prosperity that will fade with time, ours is one which we must wait for but will never fade.

Conclusion

The challenge of this text is this: live like you want to be the Jeff Bazos of heaven. Rich in rewards that God will freely give those who snubbed the rewards of this world in exchange for glory. It is not long to wait, Jesus promises:

Revelation 22:12–13 ESV

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

So what will you have? Isn’t the more desirable option obvious? Why not embrace a holy avarice for heavenly treasure rather than spending so much time on this world. The invitation of Isaiah comes to mind Is 55:1-2

Isaiah 55:1–2 ESV

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

And you who have not come to know Christ, what are you doing? You would not spend your time and money and what you know is a scam, but all the pleasures, comforts, and prizes of this world are a scam. Their appeal is a lie. Why do you spend your life trying to get the perfect job, the perfect spouse, perfect kids, the best home, the best food, the best entertainment, the indulgence of sinful pleasures that destroy. What are you doing?! There is so much more available to you if you will come, trust in him who is able to save you from this corrupt and fading world, from the sin that will drag you down to eternal loss, and give you so much more than you could ask or think.

And Christian, think of the words God spoke to the Israelite whose greed kept them from tithing, Malachi 3:10

Malachi 3:10 ESV

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Make your whole life a tithe to the Lord. Make every moment a tithe, and since you will receive it back with eternal interest why keep it at 10%? Christ calls us to lay down our whole life for the cause of the Kingdom. Time can be redeemed for heavenly currency when you act in faith. Pursue the riches mercifully available in Christ, and as God promised he will reward you with heavenly treasures in his presence forever.

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