Treasures in Heaven in Matthew 6
Treasures in Heaven in Matthew 6
Jesus instructs his followers to "treasure up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust cause to vanish, and where thieves do not dig through and steal" (Matthew 6:20, LITV) [1]. This teaching is part of a larger discourse on heavenly-mindedness and filial confidence, where Jesus contrasts earthly treasures with heavenly ones.
The surrounding context in Matthew 6 highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material riches. Jesus warns against laying up treasures on earth, where they can be corrupted or stolen (Matthew 6:19). The passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of teachings on the kingdom of heaven and the characteristics of its citizens.
The concept of "treasures in heaven" was familiar to Jesus' Jewish audience, who understood it as accumulating spiritual rewards through obedience to God's commands [3]. In this context, Jesus likely had acts of charity in mind, as suggested by the parallel passage in Luke 12:33, which encourages selling one's possessions and giving alms to provide an incorruptible treasure in heaven [4].
The phrase "treasures in heaven" is interpreted in various ways by early Christian writers. According to John Gill, it refers to either seeking heavenly treasure or putting earthly treasures into God's hands through charitable giving [2]. Augustine understands it as a call to prioritize heavenly riches over earthly ones, citing the passage as an exhortation to almsgiving [6].
The imagery of moth, rust, and thieves in Matthew 6:19-20 highlights the impermanence of earthly treasures. Moth and rust symbolize the natural decay and corruption that affects material wealth, while thieves represent the external threats to one's possessions [5].
In the patristic tradition, the passage is seen as an encouragement to prioritize spiritual wealth. Clement, as quoted by the Ante-Nicene Fathers, emphasizes the importance of laying up treasure in heaven, where it is safe from corruption and theft [7].
The teaching on treasures in heaven has been influential in Christian thought, shaping understandings of wealth, charity, and spiritual priorities. As Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown note, the passage encourages believers to prioritize heavenly treasures, which are "imperishable and unassailable" [4].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 6:20 (LITV) — But treasure up for you treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust cause to vanish, and where thieves do not dig through and steal.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:20: But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven,.... That is, either be concerned for, and seek after heavenly treasure, the riches of glory, the joys and glories of another world, which infinitely excel everything that is valuable on earth; and which can never be corrupted, or taken away: or rather, lay up your earthly treasures in heaven; that is, put them into the hands of God in heaven; and this is done, by liberally communicating to the poor; by which means men "provide themselves bags which wax not old, and a treasure in heaven that faileth not", Luk 12:33. They s”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:20: 6:20 treasures in heaven: This was a common image for Jews of Jesus’ day; doing God’s commands became virtually equivalent to accumulating treasures with God. The context (6:19; Luke 12:33) suggests that Jesus primarily had acts of charity in mind.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:20: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven--The language in Luke (Luk 12:33) is very bold--"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not," &c. where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal--Treasures these, imperishable and unassailable! (Compare Col 3:2).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:19: CONCLUDING ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM--HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS AND FILIAL CONFIDENCE. (Mat. 6:19-34) Lay not up for ourselves treasures upon earth--hoard not. where moth--a "clothes-moth." Eastern treasures, consisting partly in costly dresses stored up (Job 27:16), were liable to be consumed by moths (Job 13:28; Isa 50:9; Isa 51:8). In Jam 5:2 there is an evident reference to our Lord's words here. and rust--any "eating into" or "consuming"; here, probably, "wear and tear." doth corrupt--cause to disappear. By this reference”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — EARTH," ETC.AN EXHORTATION TO ALMS- (part 6): what the Fountain of right counsel saith, the Fountain from whose streams is no fear of poison, fill from It what thou mayest. 6. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth destroy, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."(1) What more dost thou wait for? The thing is plain. The counsel is open, but evil desire lie”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XV.--WHAT CHRIST HIMSELF TAUGHT. (part 2): corrupt, and where robbers break through; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for it? Lay up treasure, therefore, in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt."(9) And, "Be ye kind and merciful, as your Father also is kind and merciful, and maketh His sun to rise on sinners, and the ri”