Jesus makes a huge point of not placing too much value on the treasures of earth. Christ is not saying that these earthly treasures hold no attraction. He is not making light of the really special things that our life here has to offer. If these things didn’t have value, Christ would not have called them treasures. But what Jesus wants you to know is that the treasures of heaven far exceed the treasures earth has to offer.
So how do Christ’s words apply to your children? Are you focusing on the things that will provide the treasures of earth for them, or is your heart focused on helping them to see the value of the treasures of heaven?
In Matthew 6:20 Jesus says store up for yourselves treasures in heaven which are immune from the harsh realities that can so easily corrupt and destroy the good things of our earthly life. Are you equipping children to invest in treasure that will endure or in treasure that can be lost in a heartbeat?
The answer is laid bare by the words of our Lord. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Consider the amount of time, money and energy that you invest in preparing your kids for acquiring earth’s attractive, good treasures. Now consider the amount of time, money and energy you spend equipping your kids to secure treasure that will never be destroyed and go with them into eternity. This will tell you what your heart values, where your treasure lies.
For example, you realize that your son or daughter is a gifted athlete. You recognize that with the proper training and practice that they can likely earn a college scholarship worth tens of thousands of dollars. So you invest in good equipment, good coaching, perhaps even selecting a high school that will give your child an even better chance of success. All is going well and according to plan until your child’s junior year when he suffers a devastating injury that ends any hope of the scholarship. Now you are left with a broken, discouraged child with shattered dreams. And your dreams are shattered as well. You invested in a good thing, but it was a thing that would not endure. It is good to pursue the possible scholarship, but only if the greater treasure is loved more.
Of course, you can take this scenario and apply it to the arts, or business or any number of good pursuits. If you have not invested first in the treasures of heaven, the good treasures of earth will become a curse. Hear the loving words of your Savior:
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”