Morality Treasures on Earth and in Heaven

Explore what Jesus teaches about morality, including love and forgiveness and the different approaches to decision making.

Part ofReligious StudiesBeliefs, teachings & practices - Unit 1

Treasures on Earth and in Heaven

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus specifies the difference between treasures on Earth and in Heaven.

Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.
Matthew 6:19-21

The message of this teaching is that worldly goods can be stolen, or even perish, but good deeds are more spiritual and their spiritual value will be revealed after death.

This quote defines the difference between the two riches:

  • treasures on Earth are temporary, materialistic and limited
  • treasures in Heaven are eternal

Wealth on Earth cannot compare to the treasures of Heaven. In order to gain heavenly treasure, an individual has to forgo temptations on Earth, and if they are wealthy then their riches should be given away and used to help those in need and not stored up.

Christianity teaches that it is important to carry out good deeds during their time on Earth, as this will be rewarded in the afterlife. These good deeds must be things which are motivated by love, and benefit others.

Christianity teaches that as well as good deeds being rewarded in the afterlife, bad deeds will be punished, so they will always try to do what is right.