Beyond the Realm of Ruin

This month, we’re exploring the question: Was Jesus a minimalist? Last week, we reflected on the parable of the rich man who valued his possessions more than God. While he was wealthy in material things, he was spiritually poor. Today, we dive into Matthew 6:19-21:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This passage is part of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. What’s the problem with hoarding treasures? According to Jesus, earthly treasures are at risk of being destroyed. By what? The truth is, anything we store here on earth is subject to the reality of a fallen world. Jesus points to moths, rust, and thieves as examples. I’ve known storage units to flood or become infested with rodents. I’ve had a family member’s favorite down comforter disappear from a laundromat. I’ve heard of missionary friends returning home to find their cherished décor moldy and their pans rusted. Everything on this side of heaven is vulnerable to destruction.

So, Jesus offers the ultimate investment advice: store your treasures in heaven, where they’ll be beyond the realm of ruin. Jesus then reveals the heart of the matter: your heart follows where you place your treasure.

But how do we store treasures in heaven? In Matthew 19, Jesus encounters a rich young man. When asked how to inherit eternal life, Jesus first tells him to follow the commandments. The man replies that he does. Then, Jesus tells him to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, and he will have treasure in heaven. Jesus adds, “And come, follow me.”

Is it wrong to be rich? No. But Jesus discerns when our hearts become enslaved to wealth. In the case of the rich young man, his possessions were preventing him from fully following Jesus. His reluctance to part with them reveals how deeply they held his heart. But if he sold them, Jesus knew his heart would be free to be captivated by Him.

What is one treasured possession you hold? How would you feel if it were destroyed or stolen? Now, imagine selling everything you own. How would you feel? For some, the thought of parting with possessions might bring sadness, while for others, it might feel freeing. This is a journey my own heart has been on. I’ve been listening to decluttering podcasts to inspire me to reduce my household belongings. Recently, I realized how much mental space I devote to managing my possessions. But we’d miss the point if we thought clearing mental space was just for our own benefit. Jesus understands that when we declutter our hearts and minds of possessions, it opens us up to be more fully captivated by Him. We can follow Jesus more fully when our hearts and minds are free from clutter and fixed on Him.

May it be so, friends.