Heaven’s Investment Plan: How to Store Treasures in Heaven

If you follow stocks, gold, or mutual funds, you’ve probably heard of a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) — a disciplined way to grow wealth over time through the power of compounding. It’s all about steady deposits today for greater returns tomorrow.

But Jesus introduced an investment plan far greater — one that never loses value and offers eternal dividends. In Matthew 6:19–21, He Says “store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy.”

[Matthew 6:19-21 NIV] 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What does that mean for us today?

This is Heaven’s Investment Plan (HIP) — a divine strategy where generosity, faithfulness, and love become the true currency of God’s kingdom.

GOD’S VIEW OF WEALTH

• We are accustomed to divide life into the "spiritual" and the "material", but Jesus made no such division.

• A person’s attitude (Guard against Greed) toward wealth reflects their true spirituality, Jesus spoke on this when he was confronted by some on how to divide the inheritance in Luke 12. [Luke 12:13-15 NIV] 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."

• Nowhere did Jesus magnify poverty or criticise the legitimate getting of wealth. God made all things, including food, clothing, and precious metals. God has declared that all things He has made are good (Genesis 1:31). God knows that we need certain things in order to live (Matthew 6:32).

  • [Genesis 1:31 NIV] 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

  • [Matthew 6:32 NIV] 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

• The Pharisees misused religion for gain, but true righteousness brings the right heart toward possessions.

• Wealth itself isn’t evil—idolatry and greed are [Colossians 3:5 NIV] 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

• It’s not wrong to possess things—but wrong for things to possess us.

• A spiritual life measures wealth by eternal value, not material accumulation. [1 Timothy 6:17 NIV] 17 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.

WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?

[Matthew 6:20-21 NIV] 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• The issue isn’t between spiritual vs. material, but whom we serve. Do we seek the creator or the created one ?

• Materialism of the world - enslaves the heart, mind, and will.

• Matthew 6:20 “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” means:

  • Using what we have for God’s glory.

  • Staying detached from materialism.

  • Living by kingdom values, not worldly ones.

TREASURES WITHIN: ALIGNING DESIRE WITH GOD’S WILL

[Matthew 6:19-21 NIV] 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• Our desires shape what we store. If our hearts long for worldly things, we’ll store up treasures on earth. But if we desire God, we’ll build treasures in heaven.

• Jesus said in Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth”  and to understand this, we must look at Matthew 6:21:“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

• So, what does your heart truly value? Is it material things or spiritual things — or maybe a mix of both?

• Most often we like to have that “50–50” attitude, we want the world and the spiritual things to suit our needs. When we see the world, we want to be like them, when we go to Church we want to be really spiritual

• This “50–50” attitude is what the Bible calls Babylon-like, and it doesn’t exist in God’s kingdom. 1 John 2:15reinforces this.. [1 John 2:15 NIV] 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

• God isn’t against material things — He created them. But He warns us not to serve two masters. Jesus said in  [Matthew 6:24 NIV] 24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

• What we store depends on what our hearts desire:

  • If you want to go abroad to earn more, your focus will move in that direction.

  • If you want to buy a car, your mind and savings will work toward it.

  • These things aren’t wrong — but they reveal where our treasure is.

  • When our desires are cantered on earthly things, we store up only earthly treasures.

• The key question is: What do we truly desire — the world or God?  [1 John 2:15-17 NIV] 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

• That’s why Matthew 6:19–21 and 1 John 2:17 are connected — the will of God lasts forever, while worldly desires fade.

• To understand God’s will, We need to look to what Jesus taught on how to Pray in Matthew 6:10 “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

• When God’s kingdom comes into our hearts, His desires fill us.

• We begin to see the world through His eyes and carry His burdens.

• We don’t judge others when they do wrong; instead, we feel compassion for them.

• God shows us people’s struggles — not to condemn them, but so we can pray for them and help lead them toward Him.

• When we take one step toward doing God’s will, He leads us further.

• Our actions start aligning with His plan, and His love begins to overflow through us.

• God then provides what we need — money, people, and resources — because it’s His kingdom and His work.

• As His love fills us, it becomes contagious.

• We begin to shine like a light on a hill, drawing others to His presence and glory.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO STORE HEAVENLY TREASURES

Jesus introduced an investment plan far greater — one we can call Heaven’s Investment Plan (HIP).

Just as we invest in money, gold, or other worldly assets, in the spiritual realm our true investments are made through acts of righteousness, faith, and love — the kind that carry eternal value.

• Acts of Love and Mercy – Kindness, compassion, and caring for others. That’s outlined in Matthew 25:34–40.

• Generosity – Giving to those in need and supporting God’s work. [Luke 12:33 NIV] 33 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.

• Faithfulness and Obedience – Living according to God’s Word and serving Him. And Serving Christ wholeheartedly (Col. 3:23–24).

• Sharing the Gospel – Winning souls is eternal treasure [Philippians 4:1 NIV] 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

• Work for him as Servant of God - When we can turn one person to God - a treasure that’s stored in heaven (James 5:19–20).

• Bring Sinners to Repentance – When a person who is Sin is lead to repentance and when a sinner repents there is joy in Heaven, when the Babylon attitude in us is gone  [Jeremiah 51:48 NIV] 48 Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will shout for joy over Babylon, for out of the north destroyers will attack her," declares the LORD.

• Righteous Living – Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7,10).

• Serving Secretly – God rewards hidden deeds of kindness, one who is hunger, you give them food / help needs in secrete there is rewards that’s stored in heaven (Matt. 6:3–4).

HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS VIEW THE WORLD?

[1 John 2:15 NIV] 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

Many times, we hear people in the Church describe the world as an evil or hateful place. But that’s not how Jesus created it. The physical world was made good — it’s the spiritual system behind it that has become corrupt.

• In the Bible, the “world” refers to an invisible spiritual system that stands against God and Christ. (Ephesians 6:12)

• Even in our everyday language, we use the word “world” to describe systems — like “the world of sports” or “the world of finance.” These don’t mean separate planets, but organized networks of people, ideas, and purposes.

• Similarly, the “world” in Scripture is Satan’s organized system that works to oppose Christ’s mission on earth.

• The Bible says: [1 John 5:19 NIV] 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. Jesus called Satan “the prince of this world.” In  John 12:31

• Just as the Holy Spirit uses believers to carry out God’s will, Satan uses people who don’t know Christ to carry out his.

  • Such people may not realize it, but they are influenced by (Ephesians 2:1–2) “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”

  • Jesus called them “children of this world” (Luke 16:8).

  • That’s why unbelievers often don’t understand Jesus or His followers (1 John 3:1).

• Christians still live in the physical world, but we don’t belong to Satan’s spiritual system. [John 15:19 NIV] 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

• Our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). The resources we need to live here — Prayer, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and fellowship — come from our Father above.

• A good example is a scuba diver. The ocean isn’t a diver’s natural home, so they need special equipment to survive underwater. Likewise, the world isn’t our true home for a believer, and without the Holy Spirit living in us, we wouldn’t be able to live a godly life here in this world.

• Just as the air around us can be polluted, the spiritual atmosphere of this world is polluted too — filled with sin, pride, and temptation. That’s why believers must constantly rely on God’s Spirit to “breathe” and live rightly in a world that doesn’t belong to Him.

• Seek heavenly treasures while living in this world — through your deeds, actions, and the way you live out your faith. These are the true investments that build eternal wealth in heaven.

• Remember, this world is temporary. We are created for eternity with our Heavenly Father. The way we live — our works, choices, and obedience — shapes our eternal reward and position in His kingdom.

Remember Paul’s words — though he was poor, he made many rich; having nothing, yet possessing everything. By storing up heavenly treasures, we too can echo Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 6:4–10, living a life that is rich in eternal value

[2 Corinthians 6:4, 9-10 NIV] 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ... 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.