Treasures of Heaven - What are they?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 6:19-23*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30*

*Treasures of Heaven - What are they?*

*Store up treasures in heaven*

*1) Treasures of the World*

We are very familiar with the treasures of the World 

Worldly wealth, power, position, authority, money, things which provide the bodily pleasures are some of the wordly treasures which we carve for 

Apart from this, anger, revenge, muscle power, pride, arrogance, lies, cheating also belong to this wordls treasure 

*2) Heavenly Treasures*

Jesus speaks about the heavenly treasures or storing up treasures in heaven

From the life of Jesus we can clearly understand what these heavenly treasures are. These are some of the followings 

Forgiveness

Peace

Humility

Sincerity

Commitment

Sacrifice

Love

Courage

Sharing

Generosity

Appreciation

Conversion of heart and mind 

Change of ones life 

Service

Helping the needy 

Working for the greater Glory of God 

All these are heavenly treasures or when we practice these things, we store up treasures in heaven 

*3) The effect of a good deed reaches to heaven and gets stored up there*

From the teaching of Jesus it is very clear that the moment we do a good things the effect of this deed reaches to heaven and it gets stored up there

That's why Jesus says, store up your treasures in heaven 

None of the worldly things are capable of producing any effect, which can reach Heaven and get stored up there 

*4) Heavenly treasures can't be stolen by any one*

Something very special and spectacular

None of the heavenly treasures can be stolen by any power on this earth. This is the fact 

For example : humility in ones life can never be stolen by another 

Like wise, generosity, peace, love, sacrifice, sharing, faithfulness, and other heavenly treasures can never be stolen by any one 

*5) One who has heavenly treasures is really a rich person*

Heavenly treasures are like priceless treasures in ones life 

One can't buy them with the worldly treasures. 

For example, one can't buy humility, simplicity, peace, love, sacrifice, forgiveness. 

All these are priceless treasures in ones life. One who has these treasures, is really a rich person 

*6) Need continuous efforts to store up treasures in heaven*

Heavenly treasures can't be stored up in heaven by one day or with worldly things 

In needs the purity of life and faithfulness to the Lord 

Such a life needs continuous efforts, with lots of commitments. Only then we are able to store up treasures in heaven 

*7) What treasures have I already stored up in Heaven?*

Important question to ponder in our life 

If I were to check my heavenly treasures account, what assets will I find there? 

Will be it empty or will it be full or at least something?

Try to see this account very often and see what treasures are found in it. If not try to add some more treasures to this account, which will help you to live a meaningful life on this earth and eternal life in the next 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*