For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart (Matthew 6:21).
As Jesus continues to speak to Israel concerning the rules of the kingdom of the heavens, He comes to the issue of wealth. A man cannot serve two masters. He either serves God or money (Matthew 6:24). Therefore, they are to stop storing up their treasures upon the earth where moth and rust can destroy, and thieves can steal it (Matthew 6:19). The treasures stored in heaven are protected from being eaten or stolen (Matthew 6:20).
In the parable of the sower of seeds, Jesus describes the seeds that fall among the thorns. These are the Jews who hear the word of the kingdom, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of its riches choke out the word, and they become unfruitful (Matthew 13:21). In Matthew 19:16, a wealthy man came to Jesus and asked how he could obtain eternal life. He had obeyed the commandments from his youth. (Matthew 19:17–20). However, the young man had an issue that was preventing him from following Jesus. He was very wealthy and did not want to lose his earthly wealth. Therefore, Jesus instructed him to sell all his goods and follow Him (Matthew 19:21). Jesus’ instructions had nothing to do with the man’s possessions; they addressed his heart. Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. As a man obedient to the commandments, he should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah and been willing to follow Him at any cost (Mark 10:21).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is addressing this same issue. If the Jews are after worldly possessions, they will not follow God. However, if their focus is on treasures in heaven, then they will not serve mammon (Matthew 6:24). In the Millennial Kingdom, God the Father will provide all that the Jews need for their daily life. Therefore, they are not to concern themselves with worldly riches (Matthew 6:25).
The Jews are not to be as the Gentiles, who run after worldly possessions (Matthew 6:32). They are to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). The Kingdom of God refers to the state of the Son’s kingdom after He turns it over to the Father and righteousness settles down and feels at ease (1 Corinthians 15:24). This happens at the end of the Millennial Kingdom, putting an end to all rule, authority, and power when this heavens and earth are destroyed, and a new heavens and earth are created in which no unrighteousness will ever reside (2 Peter 3:13). Even during the Millennial Kingdom, when Israel possesses the land and is a nation of priest, they are to focus on the coming Kingdom of God, not earthly things.
Christians do not have earthly possessions. Their citizenship is in the heavens (Philippians 3:20). The grace believer is not instructed to store up his treasures in heaven. The treasure he has on this earth is possessing eternal life in an earthly vessel (2 Corinthians 4:7). In Christ all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden for the grace believer (Colossians 2:3). When it comes to the things of this world, the Christian has been crucified with Christ to them (Galatians 6:14). Therefore, Christians are to use the world, but not abuse it (1 Corinthians 7:31). They are to be content with food and clothing, knowing that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6–8). The fondness for money is a root of wrong (1 Timothy 6:10). Those who determine to be wealthy in this world fall into a snare and bring all types of harmful desires into their lives (1 Timothy 6:9). It is the false teachers among the saints that claim wealth is godliness (1 Timothy 6:3–5). The Christian is not to be fond of the world, nor express love towards it (1 John 2:15; James 4:4).
Israel, on the other hand, is promised health, wealth, and happiness. Therefore, Christ instructs them not to store up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19). The things that their eyes are focused on show what is in their heart (Matthew 6:22–23). They are not to concern themselves with tomorrow, for God knows what they need (Matthew 6:32, 34). Instead, they are to seek the Kingdom of God, which relates to salvation (Matthew 6:33).
