"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

What about saving for a rainy day (or retirement)? God’s Word nowhere condemns planning ahead financially or materially. In fact it is seen as wise—and even ordained by God. Consider the following (from Baker’s NT Commentary):

God did not condemn Joseph for advising Pharaoh to store up grain for future use (Gen.41:33-36). Nor were Solomon and Agur wrong in pointing to the ant as an example of the common sense revealed in providing during the summer for the needs of the winter (Prov.6:6; Prov.30:25). Nor did Paul make a mistake when he wrote 2 Cor.12:14 & 1 Tim.5:8. Business and banking are encouraged, by implication, in Christ's parables (Mat.25:14-30; Luk.19:11-23). The rich man Abraham (Gen.13:2) was a friend of God (Isa.41:8; 2 Chron.20:7; Jas.2:23). Rich Zacchaeus (Luk.19:2) was accounted worthy to be called “a son of Abraham” (Luk.19:9); and wealthy Joseph of Arimathea [who owned a burial plot] was a follower of the Lord (Mat.27:57).

Again, there is no sin in possessing wealth or in planning for one’s future. The sin is when these concerns become all-consuming, and a reason for not giving generously. Jesus’ arable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 is most instructive. The foolish (sinful) man was obsessed with accumulating wealth. The last verse (v.21) summarizes the heart of the man’s failure:

"So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

The man’s problem was not that he wisely saved a portion of his wealth for a rainy day (or for retirement). His sin was in foolishly hording treasure for himself, while NOT being rich toward God (by giving generously.)

As always, the root of all sin is not merely in the actions, but in the affections of the heart.

More on the heart given to wealth next time.