Treasures upon earth.
-This does not discourage diligent endeavour for the body which is necessary; industry, which is one part of duty. We are not to over-value even these valuable possessions.
I. Here is an exhortation to duty.
1. What are these treasures?
2. What is implied by laying up treasures in heaven?
(1) By fleeing from the wrath to come, the Christian is laying up heavenly treasure.
(2) By endeavouring to secure an interest in Christ.
(3) By setting his affection on things above.
(4) By having his conversation there.
II. The encouragements reenforce the duty of laying up treasure in heaven.
1. No thieves deprive them of their property.
2. Are you trading for that better world? (Dr. Fisher.)
Treasures in heaven
The love of accumulation is a principle in our nature; no man free from its fascination. The only true investment for an immortal being must be in eternity. Everything done for God’s grace and glory is like something planted out of this world into the soil of another state. It is a deposit which will appear again. Take an instance of the way in which Christians may lay up treasures in heaven.
1. By selecting for our friends and companions those who are children of God, so that each departing one is an actual increase of the holy treasure which is awaiting us in another state. To Christian man, death only sweeps the field to house the harvest. The treasures of his heart are only locked up from him for a little while, to be opened presently, in greater loveliness, where everything is real, and every reality is for ever. It will be our greatest joy to meet in heaven those to whom we have been useful in this life.
2. The motive of any action will carry it higher than its present and visible scope. Every man has his time, talents, influence, and money, as working materials. If he so use these that he is constantly considering their value for eternity, he is putting treasure in God’s bank.
3. It is the power of faith to appropriate everything it grasps. You send on your affection to occupy heaven; you have a present enjoyment of your reversion. You increase your treasure in heaven by continued acts of faith in Jesus Christ.
4. By thus throwing yourself into another world this life will appear an impoverishment thing. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
Earthly and heavenly treasures
I. The treasures referred to.
1. The treasures of earth are evanescent.
2. The lawful possession of earthly treasures is no sin.
3. The text does not object to your getting rich in a righteous way.
II. Lay up treasures in heaven.
1. Because its bank is strong in its independence. Banks and firms are much like ninepins with which children play; when one pin falls the others fall also. But as for the bank of heaven, it is strictly independent; it is the only bank of its kind in the universe.
2. Because the omniscience of the Banker is the very best security. Could men foresee financial disaster they would avoid it.
3. Because this bank can never be broken into.
4. It is the only bank that can help you at death. You cannot very well trade in France with English money. You must change it into French money. But no earthly bank can change its coin so as to ferry you across Jordan.
5. Bank not with evil any longer. (J. O. Davis.)
Toys must not be counted treasures
A lady once asked two little boys who were amusing themselves with some beautiful playthings, “Well, boys, these are your treasures, I suppose-your greatest treasures.” “No, ma’am,” said the elder boy, “these are not our treasures, they are our playthings; our treasures are in heaven.” A noble answer from a child. Oh, my congregation, let us treat gold and silver and precious stones as toys, and let us treat moral goodness, spiritual beauty, righteousness of heart, Christlikeness, Godlikeness, as our only treasures worthy the name! (J. O. Davis.)
Treasures in heaven
Have a deposit on earth, if you must or can; but let your chief banking be in heaven. (H. W. Beecher.)
Heavenly mindedness
I. The conduct prohibited.
1. The heart of man is the governing principle of his actions.
2. This too high estimation of the things of the world leads to an undue degree of solicitude for their acquisition, which the precept under consideration is designed to repress.
II. The opposite duty which we are required to discharge.
1. The objects exhibited to our attention-“Treasures in heaven.”
2. The exhortation to secure an interest in this felicity.
III. The satisfactory reasons on which these directions are founded.
1. The uncertainty of earthly good.
2. The reality of that which is Divine.
3. And the powerful influence which our possessions have over our affections. Learn:
1. The folly of the worldly-minded man.
2. The wisdom of true piety. (J. E. Good.)
Our treasures to be raised higher
The Rev. Ashton Oxenden quotes from an old writer an illustration of this precept. He says, “We need not lose our riches, but change their place. Suppose a friend should enter thy house, and should find that thou hadst lodged thy fruits on a damp floor; and suppose he knew the likelihood of those fruits to spoil, and should therefore give thee some such advice as this-‘Brother, thou art likely to lose the things which thou hast gathered with great labour. Thou hast placed them on a damp floor. In a few days they will corrupt.’ You would inquire, ‘What shall I do?’ And he would answer, ‘Raise them to a higher room.’ If wise, you would instantly act upon this advice. So Christ advises us to raise our riches from earth to heaven.”
No man ever went to heaven whose heart was not there before
These words.
I. As an entire proposition in themselves.
1. Every man has something which he accounts his treasure or chief good. This is apparent-
(1) From the activity of man’s mind;
(2) From the method of his acting,
2. Whatsoever a man places his treasure in, upon that he places his heart also.
(1) A restless and laborious endeavour to possess himself of it.
(2) He places his whole delight in it.
(3) He supports his mind from it in all his troubles.
(4) For the preservation of that he will part with all else besides.
II. As an argument. Two rivals for the affections; man cannot fix on both.
1. Consider how far inferior the world is to man’s heart. Its enjoyments are
(1) Indefectible;
(2) Endless;
(3) Not to be taken away. (Dr. South.)