The choice between ephemeral material goods and the eternal treasures of the soul is considered key to our spiritual development, for it determines what fills our inner life and what true value will accompany us for eternity.

Eternal Priorities

The choice between ephemeral material goods and the eternal treasures of the soul is considered key to our spiritual development, for it determines what fills our inner life and what true value will accompany us for eternity. In other words, it is through this choice that our soul is formed: if we accumulate only earthly riches, then as noted, “we will be temporary rich and eternal poor,” but if we devote our efforts to accumulating eternal treasures, “we will be temporary poor and eternal rich” ( link txt).

This distinction is crucial, as material goods are subject to the forces of time—moths, rust, and thieves can destroy or steal them—while eternal treasures, focused on inner growth through the understanding of true values, remain incorruptible. For example, one excerpt states:
“Behold, your treasure is roughly money or bodily pleasures... Yet [the soul] is eternal and in that age eternal treasures will be needed... Oh, stock up quickly while there is still time” ( link txt).

It is also important to note that the decisive moment in life when this choice is made affects the entire subsequent path of a person. As emphasized:
“My young friends! In every person’s life there is an hour when the most important choice, determining the direction of their entire life, is made... The same choice between God and the vain world, between material goods and devotion to Truth” ( link txt).

Another striking comparison underscores that true virtues—patience, humility, and other spiritual qualities—far surpass any physical things:
“And if one weighs what is more precious: patience and humility or one and a half kilograms of tomatoes, it becomes immediately clear that patience and humility are far more important than those tomatoes” ( link txt).

Thus, the choice between transient material goods and the eternal treasures of the soul is fundamental, as it defines our true wealth—the wealth of inner life that remains with us forever. This choice reflects the priorities of our thoughts, desires, and actions, influencing the eternal state of our soul.

Supporting citation(s):
“Our thoughts belong to our treasure; our heart is with our treasure; our entire will is with our treasure, whether on earth or in heaven. We are bound to our treasure like a river to its bed—whether our treasure is on earth or in heaven. If we enrich ourselves with earthly treasures, we will be temporary rich and eternal poor; but if we enrich ourselves with heavenly treasures, we will be temporary poor and eternal rich. We are given the choice between the two. In this freedom of choice lies our glory – and our torment. If we choose eternal treasures, impervious to moth, rust, or thieves, our glory will be eternal. But if we choose other treasures, which we must guard against moth, rust, and thieves, our torment will be eternal.” ( link txt)

“Behold, your treasure consists mostly of money, or bodily pleasures, or impersonal individuals... Yet it is eternal, and in that age, eternal treasures will be required, such as hope in Christ, love for God and neighbor, mercy, humility, purity, justice, benignity, and all matters of virtue.

Where are they for you?

Have you stocked up on spiritual anointing? Have you stocked up on spiritual treasures? Oh, stock up quickly while there is still time” ( link txt)

“My young friends! In every person’s life, there is an hour in which the most important choice is made, determining the direction of their entire life... The same choice between God and the vain world, between material goods and devotion to Truth.” ( link txt)

“And if we weigh what is more precious: patience and humility, or one and a half kilograms of tomatoes, it becomes immediately clear that patience and humility are far more important than those tomatoes.” ( link txt)