Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Colossians 3:2 NKJV 

In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul continues to urge the Christians in Colossae to live in the fullness of their union with Christ (Colossians 2:6–7). Because we have been raised to life in Jesus, we are now eternally connected to him. Our focus has shifted from earthly cares to heavenly joy. This perspective affects our whole lives—including how we approach wealth and generosity.  

Where is your treasure?  

Today, there are dozens of ways to store our wealth. We open multiple accounts and search for the best interest rates. We buy homes and invest in businesses. We pursue education and get multiple degrees. Throughout all of this, we seek to create stable, fulfilling lives for ourselves and our families.  

The Bible does not condemn building wealth or investing wisely. In fact, making good decisions with our finances is one way we can bless our children and grandchildren (Proverbs 13:22). However, Scripture also warns against counting our earthly riches as our ultimate treasure (Hebrews 13:5). If money is the most important thing in our lives, then it is also the only master we will serve. We won’t be able to grow in our relationship with God or follow his calling in our lives (Matthew 6:24).  

The apostle Paul knew that our human hearts struggle with the desire for things of this world: more money, a nicer home, a happier marriage, a better job. His advice to the Colossians is the same advice we receive through God’s inspired Word today. Whether we’re considering our finances, our career, our relationships, our work, or anything else, it’s important to remember that our true home—and our true treasure—is found in heaven.  

With God’s help, we can shift our focus to heavenly goals—honoring God, loving one another, and sharing the good news of Jesus with the world. This new perspective allows us to dedicate all our time, treasure, and talent here on earth to the mission of spreading God’s love—knowing that our treasure in heaven will never fade (Matthew 6:19–20).