TREASURE ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN
Treasure refers to any valuable item we possess in excess and save for the future, providing a sense of security against unforeseen events such as accidents, illnesses, or poor harvests. Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream serves as a prime example of this. He advised storing surplus grain during the seven years of abundance to prepare for the upcoming years of drought, ultimately saving the lives of Egyptians and neighboring people (Gen 41:34-36). Similarly, we can accumulate spiritual treasures in heaven for our eternal enjoyment.
The type of treasure we seek is influenced by what we value most in life. This, in turn, shapes our life goals, motivations, lifestyle, and sense of success or failure. Depending on our priorities – whether they are wealth, status, popularity, family well-being, or spirituality – we will strive to achieve them, often sacrificing other things in the process. What dominates our ambitions will ultimately dictate our behavior.
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON TREASURE
Worldly Treasure:
Wealth can be inherited or earned through various means, including hard work, divine providence, luck, or exploitation. However, earthly riches are only useful in this world and will not benefit us in the afterlife unless we use them to help the poor. Jesus illustrated this with the parable of the rich fool who planned to store his abundant harvest for his own enjoyment. God called him a fool, reminding him that his life would be demanded of him that night, leaving his wealth behind (Lk 12:16-21). Similarly, the rich man in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus lived a selfish life, receiving his reward in this world while Lazarus suffered. After their deaths, their roles were reversed, with Lazarus comforted and the rich man tormented (Lk 16:19-31). Jesus taught that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, comparing it to a camel passing through the eye of a needle (Mt 19:23-24).
Spiritual Treasure:
A spiritual person seeks and preserves treasures of faith and morals, which bring honor in this world and rewards in heaven. Faith in the Lord, fear of the Lord, wisdom, and justice are considered precious treasures in the Bible. For instance, “The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack” (Ps 23:1). Fear of the Lord, which involves reverential awe and submission, is another valuable treasure (Isa 33:6). Wisdom is highly valued: “Happy the one who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding! Her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue; She is more precious than corals, and no treasure of yours can compare with her” (Prov 3:13-15; 8:11). Justice is another treasure for the righteous: “The righteous will inherit the earth and dwell in it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom; his tongue speaks what is right. God’s teaching is in his heart; his steps do not falter” (Ps 37:29-31).
Heavenly Treasure:
Jesus taught that we could transform our earthly wealth into heavenly treasure through spiritual practices. Our faith, devotion, wisdom, justice, participation in the Church, and Christian witnessing help us accumulate heavenly treasure. By sharing our worldly resources – wealth, time, talents, and opportunities – with the less fortunate, we store up treasures in heaven. Jesus told the young man who wanted to be perfect, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mt 19:21; Mk 10:21). The apostles exemplified this by giving up everything to follow Jesus, receiving the promise of eternal rewards (Mt 19:27-29).
TREASURE ON EARTH
Jesus warned against hoarding excess wealth for selfish purposes. Resources are gifts from God, meant for the benefit of all humanity. Those with sufficient resources should help those in need, treating them as siblings and pleasing God in the process. John the Baptist emphasized this, teaching, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise” (Lk 3:11). Selfishness, as seen in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, is a sin.
Belief in the afterlife shapes our goals, values, and lifestyle. Those who look forward to heaven will prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly riches, positions, popularity, and power. They will lead simple lives, sharing their resources with others. Paul cautioned against the desire for wealth, stating, “Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Tim 6:9-10). Earthly treasures are temporary and will eventually perish, as Paul reminds us, “The world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31).
TREASURE IN HEAVEN
Preparing for heaven is like converting our earthly wealth into the currency of our eternal home. We can deposit spiritual savings with God by using our time, health, wealth, and talents to support those in need in Jesus’ name. Paul advised Timothy, “Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life” (1 Tim 6:17-19).
At the Last Judgement, Jesus will reward those who helped others, saying, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:34-36). He will explain, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).
A third-century Syriac text, known as the Acts of Thomas, presents a story on the missionary work of Thomas in India related to this teaching of Jesus. According to the legend, while the apostle was in India, the local King Gundaphorus entrusted money to Thomas to build a magnificent palace for him. Thomas preached the gospel and helped the poor with the money he received from the king. Finding that Thomas was “misusing” his money and not building the palace, the king summoned Thomas and questioned him. Thomas replied he was building the palace in heaven with the money and the king can occupy it after his death. The king imprisoned Thomas, assuming he was a fraud.
While Thomas was in prison, the king’s brother Gad died. Realizing that Thomas was a miracle-worker, the king summoned Thomas from prison to pray over his brother’s dead body. At the prayer of Thomas, Gad came back to life. He explained to the king that in his lifeless state, he saw a beautiful palace that Thomas had built in heaven for the king. King Gundaphorus prostrated in front of Thomas and apologized for his mistake. This incident led to the conversion of the king along with his people.
REFLECTION
As Christians, we are called to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly ones. Our faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to His teachings should guide our actions and decisions. By sharing our resources with those in need and living a life of faith, devotion, and justice, we store up treasures in heaven. Let us strive to lead lives that reflect the love and generosity of Christ, always seeking to build up our spiritual wealth for our eternal home with God.