Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“Don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay disfigure, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor corrosion ruins, and where thieves don’t break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21
Not long ago, I pointed out that if we think we are righteous when we are not, it is as if we have clothed ourselves with garments that look holy but are not. God must clothe us in His righteousness if we are to wear truly righteous spiritual garments. “All our righteousnesses”, said Isaiah, “are like a filthy garment.” We can repent when God calls us, but only God can put the clean garments of His righteousness upon our souls.
The same is true of treasures in heaven. Jesus told his disciples to lay up treasures in heaven, where thieves cannot break in and steal. But as with other things we are told to do by the Lord, we cannot do them; he has to do them for us. For example, when Jesus sent his disciples out (Mt. 10), everything he told them to go and do was impossible for them: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.” Even what he told them at first, “As you go, preach . . .” was impossible for them in themselves to do, for as Paul said, “How can they preach except they be sent?” Jesus sent those disciples out to do things they could not do, and to preach a gospel that no man can preach except that God sent His power along with them, and in the name of His Son Jesus, they did all that he sent them to do.
If we are to obey Jesus, we must lay up our treasures in heaven. But does anyone have an idea as to how we can get up into heaven to lay up our treasure? I have never seen a ladder that was long enough. And what kind of treasure can we carry up into heaven that will be there waiting for us after we die? Obviously, we have to have help in order to obey that commandment from our Lord. No man can by any means lay up treasure for himself in heaven; God must do it. And He has promised to do just that for every one who will trust and obey Him.