In Matthew chapter six verses nineteen to twenty the Bible says:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. - Matthew 6:19-20

Let's take some time aside from our busy lives, to consider these verses.

There is a prevailing trend in humanity today that says "You've got to 'make it' in life. You have to study hard to gain the greatest education to place yourself in the best position for the highest paying job so you can drive the fastest car and buy the best house in the most beautiful location to be filled with the finest furniture, the latest cutting edge computers etcetera etcetera... Then you will be happy, then your life has reached fulfilment, everyone can look up to you and say yes, he/she's made it"

You may find this way of thinking even penetrates some areas of our life, subconsciously. It's plastered on advertisements, newspapers, TV, Internet, everywhere we turn it is being lived and promoted.

How could we describe it in one word?

Selfishness.

Living for the benefit of one's self. It is easy, in fact much easier, to live for one's self. But! Let's stop and take a reality check. What's the point of laying up treasures upon earth? What's the point of "making it" in the eyes of the world, when we fail miserably with God? What's the purpose of living a life of materialism and selfish gain when in the end we know all these things are going to be destroyed, and the only lasting treasure is that which has been laid up in heaven?

If our treasure is in this world, then our heart will also be set on things in this world. The heart figuratively means our thoughts, our desires, goals, priorities etcetera...

When all this worldly treasure is destroyed what will happen to those people who have their hearts still in it? Oh solemn thought!

Think with me... what shall it profit us to live just a few decades of selfishness at the loss of eternity in a world that is a thousand times more exciting, peaceful and pleasant than this world? What shall it profit us to gain everything this world has to offer at the expense of losing eternity to spend in the presence of one who's infinite heart of love was poured out for our salvation?

Now, what does this have to do with "They that Be Wise"?

The question is, what sort of treasure are we to lay up in heaven? There may be many aspects to this answer, but let's just look at one.

We've already looked at the treasures that are laid up on this earth. I'd like to compare worldly treasure to a great hoard of gold, one of the most precious metals known to man. But let's look at something that's of far greater value than gold.

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. - Isaiah 13:12

As we've covered on a previous gem, the value of life itself, of a human being is of far greater value than any material object. Especially because of the immeasurable price heaven paid to save mankind.

Now let's turn to another text:

...he that winneth souls [is] wise. - Proverbs 11:30

Let's link it with another.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. - Daniel 12:3

Do you now begin to see what treasure we should be laying up in heaven? Yes, the world has missed it! No greater price was ever paid for something than that price which was paid to redeem fallen man from the clutches of sin!

So then where should our heart be set? What should be our life goal and mission? Should it not be to win souls to Christ? Shouldn't the overpowering drive in our life be to turn many to righteousness?

Imagine when you walk through those pearly gates of heaven and, standing on the sea of glass, someone walks up to you and says, "I'm here because of your witness. Because you were different to everybody else I knew. I'm here because you showed me the love of Christ in your unselfish life. You led me to Jesus, who became my righteousness".

They that be wise will see the foolishness of this world. They will devote 100% of their life to lead others to Christ by living His life of love and un-selfish service. And though they will suffer trials and hardship, they will count it a joy to be a co-worker with Christ.

There is no higher calling, no greater mission than that of laying up treasure in heaven which will never perish but will endure for ever and ever.

Let's finish with these verses:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 6:14-16

Will we answer this call? Will we let our life shine as a light to a world darkened with sin? Are we willing to give up all earthly treasure to seek the eternal treasure?

Take a moment to read this short quotation as we close.

"In order to determine how important are the interests involved in the conversion of the soul from error to truth, we must appreciate the value of immortality; we must realize how terrible are the pains of the second death; we must comprehend the honor and glory awaiting the ransomed, and understand what it is to live in the presence of Him who died that He might elevate and ennoble man, and give to the overcomer a royal diadem.
The worth of a soul cannot be fully estimated by finite minds. How gratefully will the ransomed and glorified ones remember those who were instrumental in their salvation! No one will then regret his self-denying efforts and persevering labors, his patience, forbearance, and earnest heart yearnings for souls that might have been lost had he neglected his duty or become weary in well-doing.
What is done through the cooperation of men with God is a work that shall never perish, but endure through the eternal ages." -In Heavenly Places, pg 364