There is much of value on earth.  Land, people, and institutions are authentic blessings. Jesus never renounced the creation or demanded of his followers impoverishment.  He doesn't refuse Christians their loved ones or expect you to scorn the homes, livelihoods, and easy pleasures given you by God, each of which make up part of living in this world.

Our Lord, however, does warn of the threat to all treasure on earth.  The first is the obvious.  We are passing through a decaying world, not from any lack of the goodness in God but because of the evil in man.  It isn't long before anything man builds begins to molder and corrode.  Our most personal possessions and rights can be stolen by thieves, made off with by hackers, or embezzled by Wall Street robber-barons, and there is no way to avoid eventually leaving all that is prized or valued on earth behind.

The second warning is even more serious. The heart is also corrupt. Not only is it foolish to commit one's heart to fleeting property and goods which are here today and gone tomorrow, it is wicked.  In fact, we are those thieves at heart if getting and keeping treasure on earth is more important to us than the gifts of heaven.  Theft is not simply a criminal act.  It is the depraved inclination of a heart that clings not to Christ and the promises of His kingdom but grasps on the pickings of the world for its hope and security.

It isn't the heart that creates treasure.  A person can set their heart on gaining wealth and it may never happen.  Likewise, the beauty of God's grace, the glory of salvation through the cross of Christ, and the bounty of paradise don't materialize just because someone dreams of it.

The difference is that treasure in heaven is not only real but secure!  Heaven's treasure is more precious than gold because gold perishes.  Heaven's treasure includes all the gifts that flow from Christ: deliverance from sin, rescue from death, peace with God, resurrection of our bodies for eternal life, and glory evermore.  This treasure is not mined or stored.  It is given away freely and lavishly strewn wherever the Word of the Gospel is preached and the holy Sacraments are celebrated.

To receive those blessings - to receive the love and pardon of Christ - to have been given the very treasure of the kingdom of God is paradise for us.  We have the token and proof of it in our Baptism. We have a foretaste of it in the Lord's Supper.  We have God's Word of life on it in His absolution of our sins.  And here in this text we have Christ's guarantee that what He has earned and secured for us will never be taken by thieves or be subject to decay.  No moth or rust or thief or adversary or accuser will ever touch what Christ has given you.  No time or circumstance will change it.  No reversal or reluctance from God will ever occur.

No danger, thirst, or hunger,
    No pain or poverty,
No earthly tyrant's anger
    Shall ever vanquish me.
Though earth should break asunder,
    My fortress You shall be;
No fire or sword or thunder
    Shall sever You from me.

No angel and no gladness,
    No throne, no pomp, no show,
No love, no hate, no sadness,
    No pain, no depth of woe,
No scheming, no contrivance,
    No subtle thing or great
Shall draw me from Your guidance
    Nor from You separate.

--If God Himself Be for Me  (LSB 724, vs. 8-9)

This fortune which is Christ is vast enough to sustain the hearts and hopes of all the world.  Indeed, it is the value of this treasure which moves the heart to lay up for itself confidence alone in Christ.  We rightly thank our God for all the lovely things we may have in this world even though they are rubbish by contrast to the treasure of Christ.

Let your heart be glad for all He is for you.

May your heart ever be in Christ where the treasure of treasures is given.