“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
A few years ago, my husband shared an intimate moment with me. Before he had come to Christ, while he was a teenager, he decided to meditate. He sat on his couch and rather than thinking about nothing, he focused his attention on the ringing in his ears. The more he focused, the louder it got. And then, before he knew it, he could see his body, limp, on the couch below him.
An out of body experience.
When he came back to his body, stunned, he realized that though our souls only inhabit our bodies for a little while, everything that he experienced in his body, he took with him. All of his memories, thoughts, feelings — everything — was with him when he was out of his body.
His experience is not the only one I have heard of, either. In the book Imagine Heaven, John Burke shares the testimonies of countless people who have all had out of body experiences. Whether it be an intentional out of body experience (to which is not suggested, for it is not of the Christian faith… It also terrified my husband when it happened to him, and he wishes for all to know that it is a new age practice and of the devil) or one that happens when one dies but comes back to life… All experiences claim the exact same thing as my husband’s: that one’s memories, thoughts, feelings, and all of who they are in their body goes with them in their spirit.
If all of these experiences really are true, then that means everything we do, think and feel in our lives, will come with us when we die. We don’t take any physical possessions. But we do take our mental, emotional, and spiritual ones…
That being said, we must gather up for ourselves life experiences that help us gain mental, emotional and spiritual possessions rather than physical possessions. And so, here are 5 possessions I have come to believe are the true treasures in this lifetime, that we can take with us to Heaven.
1. Knowledge & Wisdom
If we are to take our thoughts and memories with us when we die, wouldn’t it be best to gain much knowledge and ask God for wisdom? And not the kind of knowledge that comes from this world, but a Heavenly knowledge: knowledge of Jesus Christ, knowledge of God’s plans, knowledge of God’s commands for us, knowledge of the fruits of the Spirit, knowledge of Heaven and Hell and the New Earth, etc.
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”
Wisdom, insight and knowledge are treasures because we can use them to our advantage of furthering Christ’s Kingdom. Wisdom from Christ allows us to shut our mouths in times where we might not be so kind or gracious. Insights from the Lord allow us to preach His Word correctly and live according to His Word properly (not being fooled by the false teachers and prophets of this world). Knowledge of the Gospel is a sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), allowing us to fight the devil and the evil ones.
2. Doing Good & Being Generous
It is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). In doing good and in being generous, we share the beauty of Christ within us. We glorify God and bless the receivers of our gifts when we give generously and for no return. We are also blessed with spiritual wealth when we are acting within the commands and the glory of our Lord. We bless others with the chance to know there is good in the world and there is hope.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” ”
Paul addresses what the rich people should put their hopes in rather than their wealth. Notice how he did not say it was bad or evil to be rich. Nowhere in the Bible does it speak of the evilness of wealth or riches, but rather the love and idolatry that comes with the abundance of money and things.
In this letter, Paul says to tell the rich to be good people, to be rich in good deeds and willing to share their wealth. And by doing so, they will lay up treasures for themselves and take hold of the true life — which is life in Christ.
When we do good and are generous in our physical wealth — when we see that our wealth has been given to us by the Lord and thus share it with His creation — we store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
3. Loving & Following the Lord’s Commands
When we love our Lord and follow His commands we are utterly and completely blessed. We are blessed with peace and comfort and joy. We are clothed with strength and dignity. We are washed with the blood of Christ and we shine His light to everyone we meet. When we love our Lord, we are comforted with His love in return. When we follow His commands we are blessed with peace — peace in knowing that we are storing up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
“The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver… Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”
We must worship the Lord above all things. We must see His commands as luxuries in our lives, not as hinderances. His teachings and disciplines are the highest form of riches, wealth and treasures one could gain in their lifetime. We create for ourselves a firm foundation in Christ when we love and follow His commands.
4. Righteousness
Our righteousness comes from our life in Christ. It is attained through: fighting the good fight for the Lord, finishing the course of living for our Saviour, and keeping the faith in Jesus Christ.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Righteousness delivers from death and is a treasure we store up for ourselves in Heaven because it’s a blessing we receive when we live for the Lord. Nobody can take it from us and no vermin can destroy it, for it is locked away in our hearts — our hearts that are turned and following the Lord and His ways for our lives.
We attain this righteousness through our faith in the Lord (Philippians 3:9). When we live for Him and do all things for His glory — when we live faithfully knowing He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and He died for us as an atoning sacrifice for our sins — we live righteously in Him.
5. Fear of the Lord
Many people believe they will be happy once they become rich. And then they become rich and are not happy. Riches, fame, and material wealth do not make you happy or bring peace. And that is why the real treasure is in the fear of the Lord.
“Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
When we live in the fear of the Lord, we see Him as the all powerful and all mighty ruler of His creation. When we fear Him, we know of the wrath He will pour onto humanity who does not believe in Him or live under His grace. When we fear the Lord, we know He has delivered us from the evil one and we know He will deliver us from death.
If we have nothing, but we fear the Lord, we have everything, for we have eternal life with Him in Heaven and that is the real treasure.
If you enjoyed the information here, you can read more in my book that this is extracted from:
