“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20 NLT

What are treasures to be stored in heaven?  I believe I have a good understanding of earthy treasures.  There are pictures, advertisements, billboards, commercials and displays all around me.  Cars, jewelry, vacations, home accessories, boats, toys, entertainment equipment.  It’s all very vivid and very tangible.  All of it is subject to destruction or theft.

So then, what treasures can be stored in heaven?  In my prayers and journaling, I come to realize that the treasures in heaven are really little wonders.  The phone call when you needed it.  A friend who was available for coffee and who didn’t get uncomfortable with the tears.  An email in the midst of a work day that made you laugh.  A kind word from a family member.  All of these are little wonders.

I was spending some time in listening prayer not too long ago with this verse.  I was feeling that my attempts to write cards or handwrite letters were bound to deteriorate with time.  It felt more like they were subject to being “destroyed by moth and rust”, than they were a treasure in heaven.

It was then that I heard God’s voice, “Julie, every good word you speak or write to someone is written on their heart.  They get to take them with to heaven.  This is how I made you to store up treasures in heaven”.  Wow!  I know I was supposed to be in quiet listening time but when I heard that I scrambled to find a pen and my prayer journal to write it down.

This really solidified the idea that the small blessings are stored in heaven, even if the words are delivered on a deteriorating piece of paper.  It also told me that God has given each of us special gifts and talents that we are to use to store up treasures in heaven.  I use words of encouragement and prayers.

You have amazing gifts that store up treasures in heaven.  Even if you have not discovered them yet, they are there waiting to be revealed.  Each time you sing, or make someone laugh, or give someone a drink when they are thirsty you are filling the storehouses of heaven with treasures.  Jesus himself says in Mark 9:41 “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” 

Be who you are because you are wonderful!  The world will be missing something important if you don’t.  You are a gift here and a treasure to heaven.

Dear Lord, please help each of us to use the gifts and talents You have given us to store up treasures in heaven.  Please help us to come to You, so that we can learn from You how we were uniquely designed to operate.  Give us a bold confidence to live for You now, today, in the present, for that is what we have.  Now is when we can be a gift.  Now is when we can fill our storehouses.  Thank You God for all you have given us.  Thank You for the way you allow us to enjoy and benefit from others using their gifts.  You are more amazing than we could comprehend.  Amen