“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19–21
In the previous study, A Disciple is Not Ashamed of Jesus, we learned that to live boldly and faithfully for Christ, even when the world rejects Him, is an important mark of a Disciple. But following Jesus also transforms how we view our possessions, priorities, and security. The same love that gives us courage also calls us to generosity. In this study, we’ll explore how disciples invest in eternal treasures rather than temporary gain, living as stewards of God’s Kingdom rather than owners of their own.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth because earthly treasures are temporary, unstable, and easily lost. Instead, He calls His disciples to a life of eternal investment, one marked by generosity, simplicity, and a heart secured in heaven rather than earth. This teaching about treasure isn’t primarily about money; it’s about worship. Jesus knows that what we value most will inevitably capture our hearts.
Where your Treasure is, there your Heart Will Be
Jesus begins by addressing a compelling human tendency – to accumulate and protect what you have. On the surface, inherently there is nothing wrong with this, except when it becomes our source of trust. The phrase “store up” carries the image of hoarding, of piling up goods as though life itself depends on them. Yet, Jesus reminds us that every earthly treasure is susceptible to loss, theft, or even destruction. In this world, possessions decay and achievements fade. None of them can withstand time, and none of them follow us beyond the grave.
Understanding this, Jesus shifts the focus to heavenly treasure which can never be stolen or destroyed because they are held in God’s hands. What are these heavenly treasures? They are not gold or possessions but eternal investments such as acts of faith, love, mercy, and generosity that reflect the heart of Christ. Every time we give to the poor, forgive someone who wrongs us, or serve with no thought of return, we are storing treasure in heaven.
The crucial phrase in this teaching is “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus is revealing a spiritual truth: your heart always follows your treasure. If your treasure is earthly, your heart will be consumed with earthly concerns. But if your treasure is heavenly, your heart will be drawn upward toward God. Generosity, then, becomes a test of discipleship, an outward sign of what kingdom we truly belong to.
The Deception of Earthly Wealth
Jesus does not condemn possessions themselves but the misplaced trust we place in them. The danger is not wealth; it is worshiping wealth. Earthly treasures promise security but cannot deliver it. While They promise happiness, but they can also enslave the heart. In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16–21), a man builds larger barns to store his crops, only to die that very night. God calls him a fool. Not because he was successful, but because he trusted in his abundance, which failed to save his life.
Earthly treasures have a way of deceiving us. They whisper to us: that if we could only acquire a bit more, we would finally feel safe and satisfied. Yet every new possession demands more attention, more protection, more of our hearts. Slowly, subtly, the treasure we own begins to own us instead of us owning it. Jesus warns His disciples against this trap because He knows it leads to spiritual poverty. The disciple of Jesus must guard against a divided heart p trying to please two masters. As Jesus warns is: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Mt 6:24).
Generosity is the antidote to greed. When we give, we dethrone the idol of materialism and declare our trust in God’s provision. Each act of generosity is an act of faith, a statement that we believe God’s promises are more reliable than earthly possession.
The Eternal Investment of Generosity
Heavenly treasure is not accumulated through saving but through serving. Jesus teaches that everything done in love, humility, and obedience to God becomes a deposit in eternity. Giving to the poor, supporting the work of the gospel, showing kindness to a stranger – these are all investments that never lose their value.
Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 6:18–19, instructing believers “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.” The principle is simple: generosity today secures joy tomorrow.
To “store up treasure in heaven” also means living with eternal priorities. When our hearts are fixed on God’s Kingdom, we see money, time, and talents as “tools, not trophies” We begin to use what we have for the good of others and the glory of God. Every resource becomes an opportunity to bless. Every generous act becomes an act of Christ’s own self-giving love.
The most generous act in history was the cross itself. His generosity was redemptive; not monetary. It rescued us from the poverty of sin and gave us riches of grace. As disciples, we imitate our Master by giving freely because we have freely received.
Stewardship and Trust – Owning Nothing, Entrusted with Everything
Generosity flows from the recognition that we own nothing and that everything we have belongs to God. We are not masters of our possessions but stewards of His resources. The Bible reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Ps 24:1). Every gift, opportunity, and possession we hold has been entrusted to us for the purpose of serving others and glorifying Him.
This shift in perspective changes everything. When we see ourselves as stewards rather than owners, giving no longer feels like loss, it feels like using God’s things just like he wanted us to. Besides, it never was ours to begin with. The question for the disciple is not “How much of my money should I give to God?” but “How much of God’s money should I keep for myself?”
Stewardship also tests our trust. Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Lk 16:10). Every time we give generously or use our resources wisely, we’re declaring that we trust God to provide what we need. We demonstrate that our confidence rests not in savings or possessions but in His faithfulness.
The faithful steward knows that money, time, and abilities are temporary tools in the service of eternal purposes. When we use them for God’s glory, supporting His work, helping those in need, investing in lives, our resources take on eternal value. As Paul told the Corinthians, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Cor 9:11).
Stewardship is therefore an act of worship. It is the daily choice to trust God’s provision more than our possessions, to manage what He’s given with wisdom and gratitude, and to invest it in ways that reflect His heart. The more we practice stewardship, the freer we become—no longer anxious about what we own, but joyful in how we use it.
What this Means for a Disciple Today
For the disciple of Jesus, generosity is not just about what we give, it’s about how we see everything we have. Every possession, talent, and moment of time is a trust from God. We are caretakers of His grace, called to use what He’s placed in our hands for His purposes. Instead of clinging to what we own, we hold it loosely, ready to use it for the Kingdom.
To live this way requires faith. It means believing that God’s provision is enough and that true security lies not in accumulation but in trust. When we give, serve, and invest in what matters to God, we’re declaring our confidence in His faithfulness. Each act of generosity becomes a step of discipleship, a tangible way of saying, “Lord, I trust You more than I trust myself.”
Generosity doesn’t just change what we do with our resources, it shapes who we become. Every act of giving reflects the heart of Jesus, who gave everything for us. As we learn to live open-handedly, we begin to mirror the character of our Master. In the next study, The Disciple Strives to Imitate Jesus, we’ll explore what it means to truly imitate Him in humility, mercy, and love.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What does this reveal about the connection between your values, your priorities, and your relationship with God?
How do you personally define treasure?
What kinds of “earthly treasures” most easily capture your attention or affection, and how might God be calling you to hold them more loosely?
In what ways does generosity serve as an act of worship and trust rather than just charity or duty?
How does giving strengthen faith?
The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16–21) warns against storing up for ourselves.
What practical steps can help you resist the pull of materialism and live with an eternal perspective?
How does viewing yourself as a steward rather than an owner change the way you approach your time, finances, or abilities? What might faithful stewardship look like in your current season of life?
Think of a time when you gave sacrificially, whether time, encouragement, or resources.
How did that act deepen your dependence on God or increase your joy?
Generosity reflects the heart of Jesus.
What is one specific way can imitate His generosity toward a person, a ministry, or a need can you change now as a declaration of trust in God’s provision?
My name is Michael Adkins. For several decades I’ve been studying Scripture, developing discipleship resources, and teaching others how to walk more closely with Christ. Currently, I serve as the Discipleship Pathway Leader at Riverside International Church in Cascais, Portugal, where my passion is helping believers grow into mature disciples who live out their faith in everyday life.