Sunday September 13, 2020
Measure of Treasure
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! Avast ye, you scallywag! Who doesn’t remember playing the part of a pirate looking for buried treasure in the briny depths of a backyard? Who wouldn’t love to find a lost or buried treasure? Oh, the days of whimsical imaginations! But what of today’s treasure hunts? What treasures are you seeking today? How do you measure that treasure?
What is the most valuable treasure that a person can find? God, and knowing Him! It is of immeasurable worth and the most precious of all treasures. Too often, people spend their entire lives pursuing the accumulation of things, giving little or no thought to the true treasure God can give them…Himself in their hearts.
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Cor.4:6-7)
God has called us to be careful stewards of His presence in our hearts. You see, our hearts follow the treasure. If we truly understood that, perhaps we would guard that treasure all the more. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of stewards)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt.6:19-21)
Jesus gave a number of parables about the kingdom of heaven. He would say, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” In Matthew 13:44 He explains that the kingdom of heaven is like a certain man who finds this treasure, and “and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” In other words, what he found was more valuable than anything else he had.
The point here is that the treasure is realized to be more valuable than any earthly possession or amount of money. But even more than that, is the realization that this treasure of knowing God and His kingdom is worth even more than family members, friends, or your own life. The disciples realized this and gave up everything, including their very lives, for this treasure.
So how do we gain and store up such a wondrous treasure? I’m glad you asked! The scriptures give us a life-book of attainable truths and goals. Jesus said that if we give to the poor, we store up treasure (Matt.19:21). Paul says that we are to be generous, ready to give to those in need. This too, stores up treasure and creates a firm foundation.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Tim.6:17-19)
Solomon, the wisest man on earth gives us this great piece of wisdom he received from his father, David:
My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (Pro.2:1-5)
Imagine…understanding the awesomeness of God and finding the very knowledge of who He is! What a precious treasure! And because we seek that eternal treasure, God reveals that we are His treasure.
“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession.” (Mal.3:17. NIV)
What’s the measure of your treasure? Mine is knowing Jesus. Amen, and amen.
