Heavenly Investment!

Friday, June 19, 2026

2 Kgs 11: 1-4, 9-18, 20; Mt 6: 19-23

Today’s Gospel highlights the idea of heavenly investment.

Between earthly and heavenly investments, oftentimes, what is more attractive is the earthly investment, as it appears real and concrete in contrast to the heavenly investment, which, for many, is only speculative and unverifiable.

Here, we must never forget that the Marxist and socialist philosophies succeeded in promoting a materialistic outlook on human life, hailing pursuits of this world as worthwhile while being dismissive of its heavenly counterpart.

But Jesus’ teaching on heavenly investment aligns with the human heart’s natural longing for union with God. If only this material world were true and real, no one could explain the human heart’s deep yearning for meaning, love, joy, and fulfilment. 

Beyond the psychological truth, Jesus’ teaching pertains to the overall spiritual vision that we are called to develop. Thus, Jesus challenges us with questions: ‘What do I value most?’ ‘Is my life shaped by a spiritual vision?’ ‘Am I on the right track pursuing it?’

Thus, by asking us to concentrate on our heavenly investment, Jesus wants us to focus on being rich in the eyes of God. Hence, storing up treasures in heaven is about dedicating our lives to things that matter to God.

Here, we must remember the example of Paul, who began his life with all that the world hailed as noble only to declare at the end, ‘What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ’ (Phil 3:8).

Commenting on this passage, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, ‘Everything which hinders us from loving God above all things and acts as a barrier between ourselves and our obedience to Jesus is our treasure, and the place where our heart is.’

In sum, Jesus leaves behind a compelling question: ‘What is your treasure?’ The answer could be, ‘It is whatever we value most in life.’

Let us pray that our hearts may cherish love, mercy, selflessness, and compassion as true and everlasting treasures.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar