Matthew 6:20 Meaning: Where to Store What Matters
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t 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:
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
but treasure up to yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth disfigure, and where thieves do not break through nor steal,
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust spoils, and where thieves do not dig through nor steal;
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus contrasts fragile earthly treasure with lasting heavenly treasure. What does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven? A plain guide to this verse.
Context
This verse comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, a long teaching on what life in God's kingdom looks like. Just before it, Jesus warns against piling up possessions on earth, where moths eat fabric and rust eats metal, and where thieves break in through mud walls to steal. Here he turns to the alternative: a kind of treasure that nothing on earth can touch. The next verse explains why this matters: your heart goes wherever your treasure goes. So the question isn't whether you will store up something. You will. The question is where.
Key Words
The Greek verb thēsaurizete (store up) shares its root with the noun thēsauros (treasure). Jesus is not saying stop investing; he is saying invest differently. The same word later appears in Paul's letters when he urges believers to be rich in good works, laying up a good foundation for the future (1 Timothy 6:19).
Two small words describe what destroys earthly treasure. Brōsis literally means 'eating', it is the slow corrosion that eats away at metal. Aphanizō means to make unseen or to vanish. Together they picture a quiet, inevitable loss: what you count on today will be gone tomorrow.
And thieves do not just steal; they diorussousin, they dig through the mud-and-brick walls of first-century homes. This is not a rare catastrophe; it is the normal risk of owning anything. Jesus is not describing bad luck. He is describing earth.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse with different emphases. Some see it as a direct call to charitable giving. Adam Clarke, for instance, speaks of transmitting earthly goods to heaven through acts of charity, giving bread to the hungry, clothing the naked. The Geneva Bible notes connect it to selling possessions and giving alms, as in Luke 12:33.
Others read it as a broader orientation of the heart. John Calvin says the command is to meditate on the heavenly life rather than entangle oneself in worldly snares. Albert Barnes describes it as making provision for eternal felicity, letting your chief anxiety be preparation for eternity. Both readings seek to follow Jesus faithfully, and in practice they often overlap: generosity and heavenly-mindedness belong together.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers take this verse to mean that owning anything is wrong, or that Christians should give away every possession and live in poverty. In fact, Jesus is not commanding destitution. He is correcting where your heart fastens itself. The rich young ruler was told to sell everything (Matthew 19:21), but that was a specific test for a particular man. For most of us, the call is simpler and harder: loosen your grip on what you have, and let your giving and your living both show that you are invested in what lasts.
Living This Out
Try this this week: look at your bank statement and your calendar. Not with guilt, but with honest curiosity. Where did your money and time actually go? Then quietly ask yourself: if someone saw only those two things, what would they say I treasure? Jesus says your heart will follow your treasure, not the other way around. So you do not have to feel your way into heavenly-mindedness. You can act your way there, send a gift to someone in need, forgive a debt, show up for a friend. Small deposits that moths and thieves cannot reach.
Main takeaway: Your heart follows whatever you treasure most, so choose to invest in what nothing can destroy.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some toys break or get lost. Jesus said to put your treasure in heaven, where nothing breaks and nobody takes it. You can do that by being kind and sharing. That kind of treasure stays forever.
For ages 9, 12
Money and stuff don't last forever. Clothes wear out, games get old, things break. Jesus says to store up treasure in heaven, and that happens when you do things for God: being generous, helping others, forgiving someone. Those things matter in heaven, and they matter right now. Your heart follows what you invest in, so invest in what lasts.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven?
It means investing in things that have eternal value, like loving God, serving others, forgiving, and giving generously. It is not about earning salvation, but about living in a way that shows your heart belongs to God.
Does this verse mean I shouldn't save money?
No. The Bible elsewhere encourages wise saving (Proverbs 6:6-8, 1 Timothy 5:8). Jesus is warning against making money your ultimate security. You can save and still hold it loosely, ready to give and to trust God for your future.
What do moth and rust represent?
Moth destroys clothing, rust corrodes metal. Both are everyday images of how earthly treasure slowly loses value. Jesus uses them to say: everything on earth eventually fades, breaks, or gets stolen. Heavenly treasure is immune to all of that.
How do I actually store up treasure in heaven?
Through acts of love, generosity, and faithfulness. When you give to someone in need (Matthew 19:21, Luke 12:33), forgive an offense, or serve others in Jesus' name, you are making deposits in a bank that never fails. It is a life of trusting God with what you have.
Is this about giving money to the church or to the poor?
Both, and more. The early commentators often connected this with almsgiving (charity to the poor). But the broader context includes a heart oriented toward God rather than money. So it includes giving, but also how you use your time, talents, and energy for things that last.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study