The story about heavenly treasures versus earthly treasures is a story about our freedom to choose and the consequences of our choice. In his discussion with the disciples, Jesus focuses on our freedom to choose between lasting values and passing values; between substance and appearance. Jesus makes this distinction in hopes that we will choose wisely.
Because all choices come with consequences, Jesus adds the advice to “Store up treasures in heaven” where nothing can be lost or destroyed. He gives this advice because he knows that earthly treasures often have strong appeal despite their passing value. He also knows that we will reap only what we sow (Gal 6:7). His advice, therefore, expresses his hope that we will choose heavenly treasures over earthly treasures.
Does Jesus mean that the passing values of the world really have no value at all and should be avoided altogether? No, that position would go against our fundamental need for many worldly things to survive. For that reason, worldly pursuits surely have a practical value worthy of careful consideration and honest reflection. Therefore, Jesus must have something else in mind when he cautions against the pursuit of earthly values.
He gives a hint in the way he calls attention to choosing one kind of value over the other. Notice that he says, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” First the attraction, then the pursuit. In putting it this way, Jesus underscores the freedom of choice that sometimes goes beyond mere appreciation for the practical value of worldly things to the point of idolizing those things we view as important and valuable. In other words, Jesus knows we can turn anything into a god.
The question Jesus wants us to consider for our own benefit has to do with which god we choose to pursue—the one, true God or a false god of our own making. There is no value in pursuing a false god. This is the whole point of the golden calf story. Pursuing any version of the golden calf leads to greed, a lust for power, status, control, and other priorities that have no lasting or true value. In many cases, pursuing a false god brings serious harm to our companion sojourners and goes against the true God of eternal life.
The Pharisees made this mistake long ago. Jesus reveals their mistake when he says, “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Lk 16:13). Jesus meant this as a direct criticism of the Pharisees for their greed and lack of compassion for the poor. Mammon was their god. They loved their money and their status above all else.
The Pharisees pursued these passing values with gusto, to their own detriment and that of the very people they were called to serve with love (Lk 6:11; 16:14). Even today, many value status and honor over peace and justice, cruelty and hate over mercy and kindness, exploitation and manipulation over love and concern, all in devoted service to one false god or another.
Jesus taught his disciples to live a different way, to be a different kind of person—to be loving, kind, patient, understanding, and merciful, especially toward the poor and vulnerable persons. Doing good works for others out of love for God reflects the values we are free to pursue or not (Gal 6:9-10). The choice is ours. Jesus hopes we choose wisely.
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