Bank of Heaven

"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12: 16-21)

The covetous "fool" in the above story was "banking on" things of earth rather than "banking on" things of heaven. This fool was "laying up" his "treasures on earth" rather than storing them up in the Bank of Heaven. This fool was failing to heed the warnings of Christ and scripture in this regard.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6: 19-21)

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12: 32-34)

Banking on monetary things and earthly possessions? Striving to build up a secular savings account of worldly wealth in a bank storing carnal treasures?

Jesus spoke of heavenly versus earthly treasure. He spoke of spiritual riches, and of riches stored up for every believer in Jesus, to be enjoyed forever.

Lord God is the spiritual Father of every believer in Jesus and it is the responsiblity of parents to save for their children. "...for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." (II Corinthians 12: 14) Oh the wonderful treasures laid up for the children of God!

All these eternal riches are in Christ and graciously given to the believer in Jesus.

"In whom (Christ Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. " (Colossians 2: 3)

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (II Corinthians 8: 9)

Oh how rich is Jesus! How rich are believers in him! The chief aspects of the gospel message are "...the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3: 8).

He is the Wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1: 28-30); And Wisdom says to the sons of men - "I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. " (Proverbs 8: 20, 21)

He fills his followers with heavenly treasure, with spiritual wealth, yea, even in this life, where they are mostly poor by earthly standards. He gives them what is called "the true riches" (Luke 16: 11) that he would commit to the "trust" of his people. Thus, of the believer, it may truly be said:

"In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble." (Proverbs 14: 6)

"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." (Proverbs 21: 20)

The houses of Christians may not be stately or expensive, but quaint and humble, but with Jesus dwelling in it, it is a mansion. With the presence of the Holy Spirit as the unseen guest in the heart and house of the believer, the place will be filled with treasure, with love, joy, peace, faith, and hope.

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (I Timothy 6: 17-19)

Two kinds of riches are contrasted in this passage. There are the riches of this world versus the riches of heaven. The scriptures speak of being "rich in faith" (James 2: 5). In this sense Christ addressed his servants in the Apocalypse - "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)..." (Revelation 2: 9) They were poor in this world but rich in spiritual treasure now, and having an immense spiritual savings account in the Bank of Heaven.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be (truly) rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. " (Revelation 3: 17, 18)

Lost sinners do not see how spiritually bankrupt they are because of sin. Slothful Christians also sometimes forget how rich they are in Christ and do not always enjoy these glorious riches.

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (Matthew 19: 21)

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." (Matthew 13: 44)

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. " (II Corinthians 4: 6, 7)

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11: 25-27)

Those who have made the decision to forsake all and follow Jesus have acted in the same manner as Moses and as the buyer of the treasure hid in the field. They have all been given glorious spiritual light, and heavenly wisdom and knowledge, the very presence of the Holy Spirit, with his power and manifold graces, and so it may be truly said that they have a great treasure in earthen vessels (of physical bodies).

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." (Proverbs 13: 7)

"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life." (Proverbs 22: 4)

Friend, are you willing to make yourself poor in this world so that you may be rich toward God and wealthy in the world to come? Will you set your affections on wicked treasures and carnal wealth, or on lasting spiritual bank accounts? On earthly "nest egg" or in the wealth of Christ?