Matt. 6:19-21. “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.” 

Young people, I ask you. where is your treasure? One of the greatest problems we face today is worldly-mindedness. Worldly-mindedness is seeking after earthly treasures and not the heavenly treasures. It is also a certain symptom of hypocrisy. We live in the world. We listen to the world’s music, go to the world’s movies, we drink and dance with the world, and we even let the world into our homes through the T.V. One could say we try to imitate the world. Do we really love the things of this world? Are they the treasures we are seeking after?

This passage speaks of treasures; both earthly and heavenly. What are these treasures? A treasure is something that we, at least in our own life, consider very precious and valuable. We think about it, we long for it, we desire it, we plan our very lives around obtaining it. Material possessions can be a treasure. Popularity, a good stereo, a boat, a house, or even a date can be treasures. Listen to what the word of God says about these treasures: “Where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal.” Not only will these treasures corrupt themselves and pass away; they will corrupt your soul in the process. If we are seeking earthly treasures, our heart is upon earthly things. We become worldly-minded.

Worldly-mindedness is a terrible sin. Earlier I mentioned that it is a sure sign of hypocrisy. A hypocrite outwardly seems like a Christian. He regularly attends church and goes to a Christian school. He puts on a show. Inside of him, Christ and Christian living mean absolutely nothing. Worldly-mindedness is very similar. We make a casual outward show of Christianity, but God’s wonderful gift of salvation and Christian living seldom enter our thoughts. We desire instead, the things of this world. How horrible to seek after earthly treasures!

Again I ask You, where are your treasures? What do you seek after? Do you spend more time shooting hoops, or studying God’s Word? There is nothing wrong with shooting hoops, but, WHERE ARE YOUR PRIORITIES? Can you spend all evening watching T.V., and then sink into bed so exhausted that you skip personal devotions? Are you being a good witness when you go out to the movies or drinking? Where are your thoughts over the day, do you ever think about God and His wondrous gift of salvation; or is that the farthest thing from your mind? That is plain and simple – earthly treasures – worldly-mindedness. God’s Word says “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.’’ Sometimes I think we say to ourselves that our salvation is sure, it is not dependent on our works, therefore we can do anything we want. We can walk in the most terrible sins and it does not matter. Get that notion out of your head. Our works surely do not earn us our salvation, but with that goes answer 64 of the Heidelberg Catechism “for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.” Part of these “fruits of thankfulness” are laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven. These heavenly treasures will not rot or decay. You don’t have to worry about having someone steal them. You don’t have to park them diagonally in two parking spaces so no one nicks them. No one can ever take these treasures away from you. These treasures offer true happiness, peace, and contentment for your soul. A part of these treasures are good works and the giving of alms. We can amass these treasures through devotions and prayer. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing: then our thoughts and desires will be turned to the Lord. Then His word will be precious and valuable to us. We will yearn and long to go to His House. We will be truly wealthy when we earnestly and sincerely seek after God. Where is your Treasure?