These Sayings of Mine – Lay Up Treasures in Heaven (Part 3)

This saying of Jesus, now in its third part, has gotten more attention than most of the previous ones for a couple of reasons. Personally, this saying has been especially challenging in my life. I was raised to save for my retirement, and the world has only encouraged that approach for my future security. I am not suggesting that saving is wrong (we covered that in Part 2), but God is using this bit of writing to test my heart.

Secondly, I have a responsibility as a disciple of Jesus Christ to make disciples through my writing. I am hopeful that He is using this to test and prove your heart; for Satan, the world and our carnal mind have deceived us in regards to this matter of laying up treasures for ourselves.

If you have not explored the “do not” of part 1 and part 2, you should do that before proceeding here. The process and its order are important. Once we have dealt with the deception of earthly treasures, we can turn our attention to the second part of this saying – the part we are to do.

Again, for our reference:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

An Eternal Perspective

One of the greatest inhibitors to our hearing and doing this saying is our lack of faith and perspective for eternity. Let’s face it: Most of us spend the greater part of our lives laying up wealth so we can enjoy the last feeble portion of our seventy or eighty years here on earth. We are so focused on investing for retirement that we fail to lay up for that portion of our life that is immeasurable in its duration.

Truth Connections – Jesus Modeled Transformational Disciple Making

You may be thinking, “Of course Jesus modeled transformational disciple making. Tell me something I don’t already know.” For you, I have something really neat to share. Others of you may be wondering what in the world I am talking about. Let’s start with 2Corinthians 3:18.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18

Transformation is a process whereby we become more and more of the image of the glory of the Lord. It is a work of the Holy Spirit; and it is God’s way for maturing us in Christ. It is also His way for using us to mature others (i.e., make disciples).

My personal experience has been that God begins the transformation process by identifying a particular desire He has put in our hearts – a desire He intends to give us, in the form of an assignment. For me, that desire was “to help Christians Leaders find joyful, Spirit-filled ministry”. The assignment has been inLight Consulting and the writing of The Map Maker.

Between desire and assignment, there is transformation: The Holy Spirit working stuff out (e.g., a judgmental spirit, impatience), and working stuff in (e.g., faith, courage). Transformation normally includes chaos, tribulation, persecution, etc. For this reason, transformation is best navigated with the help of disciple makers.

Transformation being God’s way, we can safely assume that Jesus Christ chose that way for those He was called to disciple. We see this in His very words.

“Follow me…” – Matthew 4:19; Jesus spoke into the hearts of the first disciples, stirring the desire God had put there.

“…and I will make you.” – Also Matthew 4:19; He committed to walk them through the transformation process.

“Go and make disciples…” – Matthew 28:19; When they were ready, Jesus gave them their assignment.

The Master is still doing it today: Speaking into our hearts, walking with us through the chaos, and making our assignments clear. He modeled disciple making through the transformation process, and commanded us to do the same.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 14:21

God bless you in your making, and your making of others.

Humbly yours and forever His,