Matthew 6:19

Lay, not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth; where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal.

Christians must curb the acquisitive and hoarding instincts. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). Earthly possessions cannot satisfy. This can be illustrated in nearly any community, indeed in almost every life. Say that one is a collector of souvenir spoons, plates, salt shakers, stamps, coins, or ANYTHING, and that after, many years one's collection numbers hundreds or thousands of items, is the thirst for another item thereby assuaged? No! If one has any number, however extensive, he desires always another, and another, and another. The pursuit of earthly treasures is a disease that feeds and increases upon itself. If one is collecting "thousands" or "millions" of dollars, the possession of any number of units does not satisfy the "collector" but only sends him avidly in search of more. This hungry pursuit of wealth, or any earthly achievement, pierces the pursuer through with many sorrows, temptations, and snares, as well as thrusting him into many foolish and hurtful lusts "which drown men in perdition" (1 Timothy 6:9,10). In addition to this, there is the uncertainty of earthly treasures. Christ here mentioned moth and rust and thieves, elementary sources of loss which have hardly changed since our Lord spoke these words. Riches make themselves wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5). If one is tempted to disbelieve it, let him ask any man who has seen a flood, a tornado, an earthquake, a volcano, a change in fashion, a war, a revolution, the death of a partner, the betrayal of a sacred trust, a serious illness, or an automobile accident, or any of a million other things that continually illustrate the truth of this divine wisdom. As an antidote to man's covetous instincts, Christ taught that "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and requires that his followers shall give of their means, as they have been prospered, for the support of the Truth.

The prudent accumulation of money, wealth, or property against anticipated earthly needs is not here condemned out of hand and without qualification. Luke speaks in this place of him that "layeth up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). Even at its best, however, and even when most nearly under control, a man's natural selfishness is a source of awful and constant danger to his eternal welfare.