How to Store up Treasure in Heaven

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, June 17th, 2022

Texts: 2 Kings 11:1-4.9-18, 20; Psalm 132: 11-14. 17-18; Matthew 6:19-23

Jesus Christ asks us in today’s gospel reading not to store up our treasure here on earth but in heaven, where moth and rust cannot eat it. What is this treasure? The treasure is our good deeds. How do we store this treasure on earth or in heaven? We store up the treasure on earth by seeking the reward of our deeds here on earth. When we do good deeds to be praised by men, then we store up our treasure here on earth. We store up our treasure on earth when we seek earthly glory. When our joy for doing good is found in being honoured and praised by men, we store up our treasure here on earth. Treasure is stored in heaven by seeking the reward for our deeds from God. When the reason for doing good deeds is God, then our treasure is stored in heaven. In this case we do good to give glory and honour to God and to seek heavenly glory.  

The second part of the gospel reading reminds us of the importance of faith in storing up our treasure in heaven. Jesus says, “The eye is the lamp of the body.  So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Faith is the eye that provides the light for the body. Paul says, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor. 5:7). Faith raises our minds to heaven enlightens and transforms them to grasp the will of God. If we have a sound faith, we will see the need to store up our treasure in heaven and as such do so. Storing up treasure on earth is the sign of unhealthy faith. When faith is not sound, we store up treasure on earth. If people of time is concerned with worldly affair, it is because of perversion of faith, faith that is unhealthy. It is therefore a beckon for re-evaluation of our faith; it tells us that the faith needs purification and healing.  

Athaliah was an example of those who stored treasure on earth; she sought earthly glory by usurping power. It is said of her thus: “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family.” It is added, “Athaliah reigned over the land.” This tells us that evil is committed in attempt to store up treasure here on earth. The story ends by showing us that earthly glory is momentary and ends in disaster.  

God our Father, purify and heal our faith, that we may raise our minds towards heaven and so, store up our treasures in heaven. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke