Facts on Treasures for 3-8 Year Olds

Categories: Sermon on the Mount

• Jesus warns us about treasures.
• Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth….”
• People have long believed that being wealthy, having a lot of money and a lot of things, is a sign of God’s favor (or that God likes you).
• Here, Jesus warns us about collecting a lot of earthly treasures.
• “Treasure” here means whatever is valuable to you.
• It doesn’t have to mean just money. It can be toys, art supplies, games.
• It is whatever enslaves (or binds or limits you), whatever is sought trying to make us feel safe and secure.
• Usually, treasures do just the opposite. They tend to create a great deal of worry—something might get lost or broken, so there’s the concern about sharing a toy or keeping it to oneself.
• But all earthly treasures can be lost.
• There can be lots of problems with them; Jesus mentions three.
• These are all examples of decay—getting ruined.
• “Moth and rust destroy….”
• Even the tiniest moth can destroy clothes.
• Rust really means “eating.”
• Rust isn’t just a problem with metals; it can also destroy crops and vines.
• Jesus is basically warning them not to worry about clothing and food.
• A third concern is when “thieves break in and steal….”
• Thieves take from others to benefit themselves.
• Jesus says, “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
• “In heaven” is directly opposite to “on earth.” But it does not mean waiting for heaven.
• “In heaven” can mean “with God” now, here on earth. So it means working with God at one’s side.
• Doing good for others is a great way to start.
• Jesus knows there is a very close relationship between one’s heart and one’s treasure.
• “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
• The heart is the core of one’s being.
• It is clear that our goals are often like “gods”—they become really important to us, and we worship them.
• If the goal is to impress people, then our center will be getting people to notice or admire us.
• If the goal is to please the Father, then our center will be the Father and God’s honor.
• Our goals, motives, treasures determine actions.