Text: Matthew 6:19–21
Topic: Why storing your treasures in heaven is better than storing treasures on Earth

Introduction
• Illustration: Traders invest in the future value of agricultural commodities.

Do not lay up your treasures on Earth.
• Jesus warned against doing good deeds for the treasure of public approval.
• Illustration: A pastor quietly contributes contents of his money jar to the church staff's coin-offering basket.
• The treasures we store on Earth are subject to decay.

There are four types of treasures in heaven.
• People treasures consist of the people who are in heaven because of your direct assistance.
• Good works treasures consist of God's approval for good deeds done on Earth.
• The people who have been helped by good works you sent along on Earth will greet you in heaven.
• Heaven itself is a final and rich reward.

Having the values of Christ helps us know where the real reward lies.
• The things we see are temporary, while the things we don't see are eternal.
     - Illustration: Football helmet decals and Sunday school attendance pins represent outward rewards for good deeds.
• Illustration: While windsurfing, walking, or bicycling, we rely on landmarks to help us navigate our way.
• Valuing what belongs to God helps us set our treasures on things above.

Having the values of Christ motivates us to freely give.
• God does not tell us what to give. We must choose it ourselves.
• Freewill offerings aligned with God's values enrich the church and its people.
• This kind of freewill giving is how we store treasures in heaven.