Treasures in Heaven

Children's Sermon: Treasures in Heaven (Luke 12:32-40)

(Show the piggy bank.) Do you have a piggy bank at home? How often do you put money in it? (Pause for responses.)

Some people, at the end of each day, put all of the change from their pockets into a piggy bank. It may not be a lot of money, but when you add to it every day, it is amazing how quickly it builds up.

Whether we use a piggy bank or a savings account at the bank, it is a good idea to have a plan to save money for unexpected emergencies or when we want to do something special. But we have to be careful that saving money doesn't become the most important thing in our life.

• Why do you think I say that? 

In the Bible, Jesus warned His friends and the people who followed Him about making money the most important thing to them. (Fan out a stack of play money.) 

He said, “Don’t worry too much about building up treasures on earth.” He meant, don’t worry too much about money and things but instead, spend your time building up treasures in heaven. So, instead of putting money in this piggy bank, let’s store up treasures in heaven by putting in things we think would be treasures in heaven. (Luke 12:33)

What might be treasures in heaven? (Invite kids to write each idea they name on play money, and put it into the piggy bank. You might guide them to the list below, if needed.)

• Give money to the poor

• Visiting the sick

• Helping to feed the hungry

• Being cheerful and thoughtful to someone who is sad

• Praying for one another

• Working in a shelter for the homeless

• Being a friend to someone who is lonely

• Forgiving someone who has hurt you

• Saying you're sorry when you hurt someone

All the things we talked about can be "treasures in heaven." They may not seem like much, but if we do something for someone each and every day, it is amazing how quickly they add up.

God, we may never have much money or very many things, but help us to be faithful each day in building up treasures in heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Watch a video of us giving this sermon.