"Store your Treasures in Heaven" (Mat 6:20): What does it mean?

Dear Friends, let's discuss the meaning of this passage in Mat 6:

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What do you think the Lord means by the admonition: "Lay up/Store for yourselves Treasures in Heaven"?

Parallel Passage, 1 Tim 6:17-19:

"17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

God Bless.

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.



This is an orientalism.

The word treasure means thoughts. Heaven speaks of the realm of the spirit. Earth is the realm of matter which is material things. Moth is fear that eats away at our thoughts. Rust is worries that corrodes and destroys godly positive thoughts and corrupt means to breed.

This should read:

19) Let not your thoughts be centered in material things where fears and worries breed defeat and frustration, and where doubts breakthrough and steal your thoughts.

20) But let your thoughts be centered in spirit or spiritual matters… where neither fear nor worry breeds defeat and frustration, and where doubts do not break through and steal your thoughts.

21) For where your thoughts are, there will your heart be also.



Verse 21 says it all ….Your thoughts …will determine your destiny

Thoughts become Words, Words become Actions, Actions bread Habits, Habits develops Character, Character determines Your Destiny.

you sort of answered your own question there and I agree

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He’s teaching us to do good in his name and for his glory and promising reward later to the faithful

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:

This is just my opinion, but people believe there is security in earthly possessions, careers, relationships, etc. This is true, but eventually they dissipate. See that heavenly things are eternal and not temporal. There’s much more to it course, but that’s what I think when I read those passages.