Matthew 6:19-21
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
Scripture Testimony Index stories for this passage
When George Muller questioned a sister who had donated to the Orphan House to see if she donated with the right motive, what he discovered caused him to admire her. She had given, believing in the scriptural admonition that says, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth" (Matthew 6:19) and "Sell that ye have, and give alms" (Luke 12:33).
George Müller writes about a menial laborer who being intent on laying up for herself treasures in heaven, gave up her earthly possessions; time and again, to meet the needs of orphans and to support God's work.
Year after year, for over sixty years, George Müller committed his life to laying up treasures in heaven by giving up what he had received for the work of Jesus; reserving for himself only what was needed to meet his most necessary needs. In his own words, “My aim never was, how much I could obtain, but rather how much I could give.”
So timely was a sister's gift of her valuable jewelry to the orphan work that a grateful George Müller used a diamond ring from the gifts to inscribe upon his windowpane the words: "JEHOVAH JIREH"—a constant reminder that God will always provide.
From the very beginning of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Müller purposed to only have treasures in heaven. They sold what little they had and gave it to the poor, then lived—for the rest of their lives—a life of complete dependence upon God for their every need.
Mr. T. W. Pigott, a missionary who was later martyred writes on his labours in China and of his joy at the privilege granted him to serve Christ in China while he had the opportunity.
A dying rich man realized he had not laid up his treasures well, as he had given God only a little of his wealth. In his final words to his pastor, he asked him to do what he could to ensure others did not follow the path of earthly treasure.