Store Up Treasures in Heaven

Bible Lesson for Children

In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" Matthew 6:19-21.

What comes to mind when you think of treasures? (Receive answers.)

What do you suppose it means to store up treasures on earth?
The gathering and collecting of earthly possessions--clothes, cars, homes, all kinds of things; possibly even sinful attitudes, such as thinking more highly of our selves than others, and being prideful.

Why do people store up treasures on earth?
They think these things will make them happy. They are trying to fill that empty spot in their hearts. Earthly treasures can make us happy for a time, but there will always be a wanting for the next "new or different" thing. God wants us to know there isn't enough money or things that we can collect in life to fit where only God belongs! The things we treasure in life reveal what is important to us--they show us the condition of our hearts and our priorities.

What does Jesus say happens to earthly treasures?
They don't last; our lives and possessions are temporary.

How do you suppose we store up treasures in heaven?
The things we do for God's kingdom on earth have eternal value. However, before we can begin storing up treasures in Heaven, we must become citizens of God's Kingdom. At the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount he said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." This means we are blessed or approved by God by first recognizing our spiritual poverty; we cannot save ourselves. Jesus came to earth to take the punishment we deserve for sinning against God. He died on a cross and rose from the dead to give those who trust in him eternal life in his Kingdom. God wants his children to get our priorities straight and store up heavenly treasures.

What are these heavenly treasures? What kinds of things have eternal value? I've listed eight ideas, below:
1. Our attitudes and actions towards God and others: loving God and loving others.
2. Telling others about Jesus' love and salvation for them.
3. Praying for others--for their salvation, their healing, their needs.
4. Memorizing Scripture--putting God's Word into our hearts and minds so we can be like Christ in our attitudes and actions towards others.
5. Sharing God's Word with others.
6. Giving to those in need. Using what we have to help others: our time, talents, and money.
7. Doing to others as you would have them do to you.
8. Showing kindness to strangers, even our enemies, or those opposed to God's ways.

Can you add to this list? email@sundayschoolnetwork.com

Why should we treasure things in heaven, over earthly possessions?
Heavenly things last forever. Our good works for God's kingdom are eternal, they will not rust, be stolen, or chewed up by a bug! Jesus said even the smallest kindness, such as giving a cup of water to someone who is thirsty will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42). The actions we do and the words we say for God's kingdom on earth have eternal value. The Apostle John* wrote in Revelation 14:13, "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'"

What we do on earth matters to those around us and matters to God!

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can" ~ John Wesley.

Close in prayer.

Teach children about God's Kingdom priorities. Get our
Sermon on the Mount Bible lesson plans.

*John wrote the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible; he was instructed by the Holy Spirit to write of end time events.

Subscribe to our Newsletter - Learn More

Site Map