What are the ‘Treasures in Heaven’?

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS: Are we consumed with storing up treasure here on earth, or are we prioritizing investing in the kingdom? In this essay, I look at earthly ‘treasures’ and ponder what the treasures in heaven could possibly be.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal …” (Matthew 6:19-20).

That is a familiar passage to us. We know what it says. We understand that we cannot serve two gods, mammon and Jesus. We comprehend that the love of money is the root of all evil. We all feel sad when the Rich Young Ruler turned away from Jesus, rejecting eternal salvation because he clung to his earthly wealth.

But what does treasure in heaven truly mean? What are the treasures in heaven, specifically? (Answer, no one is exactly sure, but here are a few ideas…)

Matthew Henry says in his Whole Commentary on the Bible, “A treasure is an abundance of something that is in itself, at least in our opinion, precious and valuable, and likely to stand us in stead hereafter.”

First, we see the negative. Do not store up treasure on earth. Treasure on earth at the time Matthew was written were clothes, that’s why the mention of moths. The most expensive thing someone could buy was purple dyed clothing, the kind that kings and senators wore, the kind that Lydia made. Purple clothing was expensive because of the laborious process to make even a little purple dye. [See: A Day in the Life of a Seller of Purple]. James 2:2 warns against currying favor with the rich, as evidenced by their fine clothes. (James 2:2).

Another kind of wealth was property. The Rich Young Ruler had lots of property he didn’t want to give up. Ahab wanted the field near his house, and he and Jezebel arranged to have the owner Naboth killed for it. Land was and remains a top indicator of wealth. An entire Law was given by God regarding the reversion of land in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25.)

Food. (Bountiful crops). In Luke 16:19-26 the Rich Man always held banquets. Food is an indicator of wealth in a land where agricultural production was hard, sometimes dangerous (See Gideon in Judges), and laborious. Banquets hosted by kings throughout the Old Testament were held to demonstrate wealth, which demonstrated stability because the long agricultural process was protected and yielded enough food. Remember Gideon hunkered down in his winepress trying to beat out his wheat, hiding from the marauding Midianites? (Judges 6:11). Food was an indicator of wealth.

Coinage: There weren’t really any banks back then, if a person owned coins they usually buried it somewhere or hid it snugly in their home. That is why the verse mentions rust.

So what is real wealth according to the Bible? What are these treasures we are supposed to accumulate in heaven?

One of the riches is longing for His appearing, for which we will receive a reward. (2 Timothy 4:8). Anticipating Jesus’ return is a metaphorical way that we keep Him in the forefront of our minds, as the Jews were supposed to do by placing actual phylacteries on their foreheads. When we long for His appearing, we are keeping Him and heaven focused as the basis for all we do. Jesus is the priority, not accumulating earthly possessions. In fact, our motivations are a major part of the treasure we accumulate. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Things we did on earth that have no value in heaven, i.e. done with poor motivation or for our selves and not Jesus, will be burned up and that which remains will be counted as heavenly treasure, i.e those done with proper motivations.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

“Be rich in good works”. “Do good”. The ‘good’ is further defined by being ready to share, generosity. James 2:15-17 has a lot to say about that. So does Luke 3:11. But make sure to do all with the right motivation.

It seems that there is a theme to all this earthly versus heavenly treasure. Earthly treasure is possessions. Whether money, clothing, food, property…But though the Bible doesn’t explicitly say, treasure could be spiritual riches, other people, or even perhaps something material.

The point is, to have a proper attitude about ‘treasures’ here on earth and laying up spiritual treasure in heaven. Warren Wiersbe wrote,

We are accustomed to dividing life into the “spiritual” and the “material”; but Jesus made no such division. In many of His parables, He made it clear that a right attitude toward wealth is a mark of true spirituality (see Luke 12:13ff; 16:1–31). The Pharisees were covetous (Luke 16:14) and used religion to make money. If we have the true righteousness of Christ in our lives, then we will have a proper attitude toward material wealth.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 27). Victor Books.

What we think of on earth as treasure, such as gold or jewels, will be just construction materials we will walk on in heaven! (foundation stones, street of gold…).

The main and best treasure is Jesus! An amazing thought is that His glory is a treasure! We get to see it! Think of the Exodus scripture.

Then Moses said, “Please, show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:18)

Also, heaven will be rich in His people that He died to bring to His heavenly abode. Invest your money, time, and talents in Jesus, and by proxy, His people. You will be storing up treasure in heaven. Doing good to others in love with the right motivation is what we should pursue every day.