We should think of Treasures in Heaven as a bank account with debits on one side and credits on the other. We can make deposits into this account, and we can make withdrawals. This account is not much different from an earthly bank account. However, this account is beyond the reach of the problems of earthly banks. Jesus knew that the rich young man would need a financial source in the future; he wanted him to be free to follow Him. Jesus knew that trust in this world’s financial system would keep the young man in bondage.

In earthly banks, accounts generally have a very low interest rate. On the other hand, the account of Treasures in Heaven multiplies, as all things in which God is involved do. God’s command to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply. God’s original design was multiplication. The two parables of Jesus, Matthew 25:14-29 and Luke 19:13-26, deal with the management of money. In both parables, Jesus commends the servants who have multiplied what was entrusted to them. It is a multiplication by two in Matthew 25, and by 10 and by 5 in Luke 19. We believe that our heavenly account multiplies. The balance of our account is always higher than what we have deposited. Jesus oversees our account. He tells us when and where to give, as well as when to deposit something into our heavenly account for Him to multiply.

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” MARK 12:41-44

Jesus was sitting to observe what was happening and made comments to His disciples about the way of giving. Surely, Jesus had taught His disciples the financial system of the Kingdom. The widow gave out of her necessity. She understood the concept of treasures in heaven and how God’s supply method operated through giving. Jesus was in the earthly temple and, sitting in the front row, He observed what was given. We know that the earthly temple is patterned after the true temple, which is in heaven (Hebrews 9:24).

Today, Jesus has already entered heaven and the heavenly temple. This kind of prefiguration is no longer necessary. We have the true temple. Jesus has now taken His place in heaven and He supervises our heavenly account. He is interested in our deposits and takes pleasure in our obedience to give as He asks. Deposits occur when we give according to what the Lord asks of us. Not all gifts are requested by Him.

Some give out of guilt, fear, or hope of return. We should always ask the Lord if we should give and, if so, how much to give. The apostle Paul had received Jesus’ teaching and could thus teach the financial principles of the Kingdom to Timothy. In his letter, Paul teaches Timothy concerning the rich and their relationship to their wealth.

“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.” 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19

Let us study these verses. You will recall that we have defined wealth as money that works for us. Wealth, like money, should be distinguished from possessions and remains under the influence of the spirit of Mammon. This spirit wants us to trust in wealth and view it as our source, our security for the future. Paul warns the rich against pride and arrogance, or as the Living Bible puts it, against looking down on others; he also warns them not to place their trust in uncertain wealth. Moths, rust, worms, and thieves frequently devalue wealth held in the heart as treasures on earth. Instead, Paul tells the rich to place their trust in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. The Greek word for “everything” means exactly that: everything!

Later, in verse 18, Paul commands the rich to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. The consequence is found in verse 19. The Darby version says, “storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future.” Paul knew that we would need finances for the future. So, to lay a foundation in accordance with the management of Kingdom finances, we must give when the Lord tells us to, and this amount is then credited to our heavenly account. Inflation, deflation, devaluation, and financial scams do not affect our heavenly account. Therefore, our heavenly account is a place where our hearts can safely find rest and peace. People seek a form of investment that is a good foundation for the future. Paul declares that our gifts are precisely that foundation for our financial future. Then we take hold of “the life that is truly life.”

In other words, when our heart is at rest, we can focus on what God asks us to do. Our attention is not on working to “earn a living” but on working to “earn a giving” (Ephesians 4:28). We see this same financial principle taught by Paul to Timothy.

In Philippians 4:14-19, Paul writes to the believers in Philippi and talks to them about finances. Verse 19 is well-known to most Christians. We often hear it quoted during the offering. However, verse 19 is not actually an isolated verse; it is instead the conclusion of a process outlined in …

This text is an excerpt from the book “Wealth, Riches & Money” written by Craig Hill, Earl Pitts.

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