Store Up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven
As the years pass and earthly life feels more fragile, many faithful men and women find themselves quietly reflecting on what truly lasts. We lived through many seasons to realize that no matter our diligence, savings, or the security we once chased, none of it accompanies us beyond the veil of death. The words from old faithful Job have echoed through generations: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” (Job 1:21). This is not a cause for lamenting, but a deep truth, and a reminder that everything in this world is borrowed, entrusted, and fleeting.
Still, for many of us, questions about money, legacy, and security are on our minds. Even those who live modestly may experience an undercurrent of anxiety: Have I stored up enough? Will there be enough? Will my children or grandchildren be secure? Meanwhile, others who have been materially blessed can find themselves caught between gratitude and guilt, wondering how to use their abundance faithfully.
The famous quote from Luke 12:20 in the Bible is part of the Parable of the Rich Fool. God calls a man a "fool" for storing up earthly treasures for the future while ignoring his spiritual life, warning him that his life (soul) will be demanded that very night, leaving his possessions behind. Earthly wealth, Jesus teaches, can create an illusion of permanence and control—a sense that if we plan carefully enough, we can make life safe. Yet, that same illusion can blind us to our utter dependence on God. As Christ reminds us, “No one can serve two masters... you cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24).
What, then, does it mean to be faithful stewards, especially in the later chapters of life? Jesus invites us to think ‘outside the box’ and, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19–21). This is not a rejection of thinking smart, but a reorientation of the heart. Earthly possessions have their place; they can provide comfort, enable generosity, and bless others. But they are tools, not trophies. The treasure Christ describes is not physical currency or property—it is love, mercy, and justice embodied in how you live daily life. Every act of compassion, every moment of patient listening, and every gift freely given to the poor or lonely builds a foundation that no time or decay can erode.
The real question for Christians is not only how much we have, but how our relationship is with what we have. This shapes our hearts towards others, especially the poor. Scripture offers a reasonable balance: the Book of Proverbs praises wise planning and provision for one’s family, but it also warns that wealth gained hastily or hoarded selfishly fades quickly. We are invited to live responsibly, yet open-handedly—to see our lives and resources as a sacred trust from God rather than as private ownership.
This is not a call to renounce what has been justly earned, but a call to rediscover the joy of giving—time, presence, counsel, forgiveness, and faith. The later years of our lives can become a grace-filled season of spiritual investment. What we once built with effort and caution can now become gifts of blessing. To “store treasures in heaven” means to transform material goods into a language of love that speaks louder than the gifts of Abel: generosity that uplifts the weary, mercy that comforts the broken, and faith that teaches others the peace of dependence on God alone.
In the end, we take nothing with us but what we gave away in love. Our wealth—spiritual or material—finds its truest purpose not in permanence but in participation: in the self-emptying life of Jesus Christ, who gave all for us, yet lost nothing, both on earth and in Heaven.
Remain Blessed,
Rev. Fr. Matthew Abu B. Cole, SMA
Parochial Vicar