Bible Strands
Matthew 6:20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his followers in the Sermon on the Mount, issuing this command immediately after warning against hoarding on earth. He speaks during a teaching sequence focused on prioritizing spiritual security over material accumulation.
The words — θησαυρίζετε (thēsaurizete) means "do store up" and θησαυρούς (thēsaurous) means "treasures," forming a direct imperative to accumulate wealth. The phrase ἐν οὐρανῷ (en ouranō) literally locates this accumulation "in heaven."
The thread — The text's directive to secure imperishable wealth runs through Luke 12:33's call to provide an inexhaustible purse, Matthew 19:21's instruction to sell possessions for heavenly treasure, and 1 Timothy 6:19's charge to treasure up a firm foundation for the future.
Why it lands — The text states that heavenly treasures cannot be damaged by moth or rust, nor taken by thieves. It requires readers to actively redirect their financial resources toward a secure, non-perishable location rather than leaving them in vulnerable earthly stores.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Cross-references
- Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
- Matthew 19:21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- 1 Timothy 6:19 treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Hebrews 11:26 He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
- Revelation 2:9 I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
- 1 Peter 1:4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
- Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.