The concept of "treasure" has been popping up in my life a lot over these last few weeks so I wanted to share what I have been learning about that.
The first thing that happened was a few weeks ago, when I was on my way to church assembly / Bible study on a Sunday morning. I usually take some streets through a residential subdivision as a shortcut to avoid a long traffic light, and when I was in that neighborhood, I thought that I recognized a van that crossed the road ahead of me.
The reason I think I recognized the van is because the people live in my own neighborhood, and occasionally I pass by their house and also see them driving past my house, in particular before heavy trash day. (In our neighborhood, that's a day that people set things outside on the curb that they don't anymore, and anyone is free to go through or take what's out there, before the city comes by and hauls it away.) I myself will look around in the days before that day, too, to see what my neighbors have thrown out (and I have actually found some decent things, like a few small side tables and a storage bin).
What struck me about seeing the van that morning was that we were from the same neighborhood and happened to be in a different neighborhood at the same time! Not only that, but that our reason for being there might have been the same too: we were looking for something of value, i.e. searching for treasure.
I took a right turn out of the subdivision and continued on my way to the church building. My searching that morning was going to be into the precious word of God and I was looking forward to the things that I would learn and the encouragement and hugs I would receive from my brothers and sisters. But I kept thinking about whoever was in that van. Would there be anything that I could find out by a curb that was more valuable, more precious or worth so much that I would forsake the assembling of my Christian family? Or in general, is that where I would put (or do put) my hope and dreams of contentment and fulfillment: in finding physical treasure???
Now that's not to say that I don't have my own ideas about physical treasure, I think we all do. I recently pulled the box off from under my bed and it had a little box of old coins that my grandpa had left me. It had been a few years since I had seen that box so I was looking up the coins to see if they were worth anything. Of course I felt excited because maybe they were worth something! Maybe one of them could be worth a thousand dollars! After a few minutes of research, I think the whole total of them maybe came to $3. Oh well. They're still neat to look at. I talked to my aunt and she said that my grandpa had always dreamed of finding treasure, like on Oak Island. I also know that my grandpa grew up very poor and that his dad gambled away the family's money, so I can understand how having a large amount of money might feel comforting to someone who felt like they never had enough as a child.
I think my grandpa had already passed away before the TV show called "The Curse of Oak Island" came on about the investigation there, which I happen have been watching ever since the first episode. I think I'm most excited about just seeing the things they will find, if there's anything there at all. There's also another show called "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch" about an investigation at a ranch with possible Aztec gold, but overall it's the same thing - along time ago, according to legend, someone found some treasures and then they buried them so no one else could find it or have it. The treasures these people are looking for now, belonged to someone else. That person died and they couldn't take it with them. If any of them do find treasure today it will be the same thing, they may enjoy it for a little while but they can't take it with them when they die, they will have to hide it, donate it or designated someone else to inherit it.
So, if I found buried treasure, what would it bring me? Thankfully I have food, clothing and shelter. I could have more of those things or a bigger house, but would that really bring me joy or contentment? What do the scriptures say?
Solomon was probably the wealthiest person who ever lived. What did he say in Ecclesiastes chapter 5:10-16?
"He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile...
a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands. This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind? "
Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus says Matthew 14:44-46
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Paul says to the church in Colossae (Colossians) chapter 2:2-3
"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:2-19
"These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness...
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
Truly living, truly having the BEST LIFE is not about having riches and wealth that come in this life, it is about having eternal life! I hope this study about treasure has been useful and encouraging! Much love.
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