Storing Up the Right Things — Open Hands, Week 6

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Luke 12:33-34

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 13:11, Hebrews 10:34, Philippians 3:7-8

Big Idea: Investing in eternity—through generosity and spiritual growth—yields returns that matter.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

Jesus tells us to 'store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' The invitation is to think like an investor, but invest in what lasts.

We store up things on earth all the time. We save money, buy insurance, plan for retirement. These aren't bad. But Jesus is saying: don't stop there. Invest in what actually matters. Invest in the kingdom. Invest in eternity.

Today, we're exploring what it means to store up the right things.

I. What Endures and What Doesn't (Matthew 6:19-21, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)

Jesus is clear: earthly treasures are temporary. 'Moths and vermin destroy, and thieves break in and steal.' Money loses value. Possessions age and wear out. Stock markets crash. Jobs disappear. Relationships end. Everything earthly is subject to loss.

But heavenly treasure endures. Not as abstract spirituality. As real investment. When you give to help someone in need, you're storing up treasure in heaven. Not because you'll be repaid, but because you're participating in God's kingdom, which is eternal.

Ecclesiastes explores the futility of earthly accumulation. Solomon pursued every pleasure, every achievement, every possession. His conclusion? 'Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.' The emperor with the largest treasury still dies. The celebrity with millions of followers still faces an empty grave. Earthly treasures don't satisfy and don't last.

But spiritual treasures—character, faith, love, the impact you have on others—these endure.

A person you led to faith exists forever. A relationship you healed impacts eternity.

A kindness you showed ripples forward. These are the treasures that last.

Jesus isn't anti-wealth. He's pro-eternal perspective. If you're going to store up, store up things that matter when you're gone.

II. The Investment Strategy (1 Timothy 6:17-19, Proverbs 13:11)

Paul gives those with wealth a specific investment strategy: 'Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.'

The goal isn't to become poor. It's to become 'rich in good deeds.' Wealth is a tool. Use it to do good. Give generously. Be willing to share. Why? Because 'in this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.'

This isn't karma or cosmic accounting. It's participation in God's kingdom. When you use resources generously, you're aligning with God's values. You're building the kind of character that will matter forever. You're proving to yourself that you trust God, not money.

Proverbs says, 'Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.'

Spiritual investment works the same way. Small acts of generosity compound. One kindness inspires another.

A single act of justice can start a movement.

The investment strategy God offers is counterintuitive but reliable: Give and you'll have more (spiritually). Keep and you'll have less (because you'll be anxious and grasping).

III. Practicing Eternal Investment (Luke 12:33-34, Hebrews 10:34, Philippians 3:7-8)

Jesus gives practical instruction: '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.' He's not saying everyone must sell everything. He's saying: be willing. Let go of the belief that possessions are security.

The Hebrews joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property, 'because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.' They'd learned the secret. Physical property can be taken. But character, faith, love—these can't be taken. So they invested in what mattered.

Paul speaks from his own experience: 'But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.'

Eternal investment means sometimes saying no to earthly gain for the sake of the kingdom.

It means choosing generosity when you could choose accumulation.

It means investing in people—mentoring, discipling, encouraging—when you could invest only in yourself.

It means asking: What will matter when I'm gone? And building toward that.

Eternal investment isn't about being poor. It's about having the right priority. Store up the right things, and your heart will naturally follow.

Conclusion & Appeal

You will store up something. The question is what. Will you store up possessions that will fade? Or will you store up treasure that lasts? The choice is daily. In how you spend money. In how you use time. In what you value.

This week, look at your investments—not just financial, but relational, spiritual. Where are you investing? Is it producing eternal fruit? Choose one area where you can shift toward eternal investment. Give generously. Mentor someone. Serve. Build something that will matter when you're gone. Notice how your heart follows where your treasure is.

'Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' What treasures will you store up?

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