A reader on my Facebook page asked this question about the nature of treasures in Heaven: “What does that even mean to ‘store your treasures in heaven’? What treasures are we storing up?!”
The Greek word translated “treasures” or “riches” in Matthew 6 normally means “accumulated wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other valuables.” That’s exactly what Christ’s disciples would have immediately thought of: tangible wealth, valuable assets, precious possessions.
It’s true that when Jesus speaks about “treasures in heaven,” we don’t know the exact form those treasures will take. Treasures in Heaven could be of material or spiritual nature, but either way they are real, meaningful rewards for God’s people who give generously.
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to transfer our wealth from one place to another. When we die, earthly treasure will no longer be ours, but wealth we’ve transferred to Heaven will remain ours forever.
God will also give us eternal rewards for doing good works (Ephesians 6:8; Romans 2:6, 10), persevering under persecution (Luke 6:22–23), showing compassion to the needy (Luke 14:13–14), and treating our enemies kindly (Luke 6:35).
We’re told that “the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever” (Daniel 7:18, ESV). What is “the kingdom”? Earth. On the New Earth, God’s children will reign with Christ (Revelation 20:6). Faithful servants will be put “in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21, 23).
Scripture refers to five different crowns, which may or may not be literal but clearly represent ruling positions in God’s kingdom. Treasures in Heaven, then, will surely include the rewards of God entrusting His faithful children with positions of leadership in proportion to their service on Earth (Luke 19:12–19).
Once we grasp what Heaven really is and will be, we can begin to understand what Christ meant when He talked about storing up treasures there.
Years ago, I did a Q&A with Wayne Grudem at a theology conference. One of the questions we discussed was “What Is the Nature of Heavenly Treasures and Rewards?” (Wayne and his wife Margaret and I, as well as my friend Steve Keels, developed a wonderful friendship together at this conference. You will see the degree of my respect for Wayne Grudem when he compliments something I say, and I didn’t quite know what to do with it!)
See also Will Our Relationships with Others in Heaven Be Part of Our Eternal Rewards? and The Treasure Principle.
