TREASURE SEEKERS
When you think of treasure seekers what do you typically think of? Pirates searching for buried treasure? Movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, National Treasure or one of my personal favorites-The Goonies? I was reading an article this past week that mentioned treasures. That got me thinking about how the word treasure was used in the bible.
Last week I talked about the encounter Jesus had with the man who wanted him to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus didn't involve himself in judging that case but he did provide a lesson on greed. He said a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. The world's idea of a treasure is much different than God's idea of one.
1) What do we treasure?
Worldly treasures can be just about anything. As the saying goes, "one man's junk is another man's treasure". But typically, things like money, collectibles or expensive items are worldly treasures. Anything we place a high value on. Sometimes, we can place too high a value on things to where they become an idol. A treasure can refer to something I cherish or adore.
That's where it can become problematic. Even though the word adore can mean love, respect and admire, it can also mean to worship, idolize, glorify, revere. Words like worship, glorify and revere should only be used for God. And scripture warns us that idolizing things or people is never a good thing. It's about priority. Jesus told us our priority should be to store up treasures in heaven and not on earth.
Matt. 6:19-24, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
One reason focusing on spiritual treasures is better is because they are eternal, where earthly treasures will eventually perish. A treasure can be worth a lot of money today and be worth much less tomorrow. Even if it has sentimental value there's a chance it can be lost, stolen or broken. Jesus highlights it's a matter of where my heart is. What excites me; where do my passions lie?
Jesus said the eye is the lamp of the body. What do my eyes seek out? What treasure do I find pleasing to the eye? Is money or something material what catches my eye or is it something spiritual? Do I seek after the word of God, opportunities to serve God, sharing the gospel or discipleship? Do I treasure what money can't buy? Am I focused on love, wisdom, knowledge, godliness? What do I treasure? What am I devoted to? What do I put my hope in?
1st Tim. 6:17-19, "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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 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."
If I'm arrogant I think that my money or status will always be there and they can get me through anything. But nothing in this world is certain. The only thing that is certain is God. And if my hope is not in money I will be generous with it; I don't have to worry about making sure I hoard it for the future. Not that we don't plan wisely for the future, but our trust and hope is in the God whose storehouse is limitless and can take care of all of our needs.
"Ok, since God's storehouse is limitless let him bless people, why do I have to?" God wants to use us to bless others with some of the blessings we receive from him. When we do, we're blessed too. We receive the benefit of love, compassion, generosity, fellowship, shining the light, etc. Being generous blesses both the giver and the receiver; it gives both an opportunity to see how God can be trusted.
When our treasure is God then doing his will is going to be a treasure to us. When we serve God we give ourselves and those we bless a potentially life-changing event. When we treasure God, he will provide situations that produce treasured memories. And when we make a lasting impression on people and that produces a change in how they operate and especially in regards to their relationship with God, we are laying up treasures for the coming age. By treasuring God and his word we receive the benefit of life's true treasures.
Those without Christ think the good life is found in having plenty of worldly treasures. But for those who have Christ we have come to know what living the good life is really about. Many people who are well-to-do are not very happy or content. So when they see us they wonder, 'how can someone who doesn't have material wealth be so content, joyous and peaceful?' We tell them it's because we have treasures that money can't buy and cannot be taken away. What do you treasure?
2) Spiritual treasures.
What are some things the bible describes as treasures? Wisdom, understanding and insight are treasures.
Prov. 2:1-5, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God."
Solomon is instructing his son on the need to accept what he's saying and the value of storing up his commands. Think of the treasure of God's commands. We have the one who knows all and sees all giving us directive on what to do and not do. He shows us what will enable us to live righteously and avoid trouble.
We might view God's commands as burdensome, wondering why we have to obey this one or that one. But when we see God's wisdom and love behind his commands we will be more apt to treasure them and store them up in our hearts.
We are to turn our ear to wisdom, apply our hearts to understanding and call out for insight. We need to seek these treasures. Do we value things like wisdom and understanding? Do we want insight into the mind of God? If we say, yes, then what are we doing to get them? Are we seeking these things? Do we call out, are we praying for God to reveal his wisdom to us? Are these the things we crave?
When we treasure these things we will continue to seek them as if we were looking for buried treasure. If someone found a treasure map and decided to go on a quest to find it, they might go to any length to locate it. The thrill of finding it fuels them to take the risks and pay the price. And that's just in the hopes of finding it-no guarantees. But with the treasures of wisdom, understanding and insight, we can be sure that God wants to give us these things.
When Solomon was starting out as king, he was challenged by God to ask for anything he desired. He could've named any treasure. What did he pick? Wisdom-so he could lead the great number of people God had put him in charge of. God rewarded him by giving him wisdom beyond compare and all the other treasures he didn't ask for. So Solomon knew from experience the value of the treasures of wisdom, understanding and insight. Let's make sure we treasure these as well.
Salvation and the Holy Spirit are treasures.
Prov. 11:4, "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
You can't take it with you, they say. You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer, they say. Why do they say that? Because of the truth of this verse. Our worldly possessions will be worthless come judgment day. Those trinkets won't get us anywhere. They may have paid for almost everything here on earth and they may have given us clout with our fellow man but in heaven they mean nothing.
God's not impressed with your bank roll or name brand anything. The only thing that matters is whether or not we will be declared righteous. Romans 6:23 says that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Any gift from God is a treasure and the greatest of them all is salvation.
Jesus sacrificed his life so we could be declared righteous when we trust in him. This shows that we are a treasure. We are sinners in need of God's grace. God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die in our place so we could be declared righteous. People pay a lot of money to buy certain treasures. What higher price could be paid than your life? That's how much value we have to God. We might not feel like much of a treasure, but when we understand what Jesus did for us we can realize that he sees us as so valuable that he was willing to pay the ultimate price in order to redeem us. You are God's treasure.
Because of our salvation, we have the Holy Spirit living in us. And with that comes the light of Christ and the message of the gospel. Since we carry such beautiful treasures, we need to reveal them. However, we need to make sure people see the treasure, not the vessel.
2nd Cor. 4:6-7, "For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Paul made it clear the light we shine is not our own; it's the light of Christ shining through us. We are jars of clay. A clay jar was typically plain looking. There was nothing fancy about it; it wouldn't draw much attention. But what it contained could be priceless. If you had something of value you wouldn't put it where people would expect to find it, you'd put it somewhere inconspicuous.
Paul uses this analogy to highlight that we are to make sure we don't draw attention to ourselves, we direct it to Christ. Paul wasn't flashy; he wasn't polished so people would be drawn to his appearance. He wanted people to be drawn to what really mattered-Jesus. He wanted the treasure of the light of Christ to be what attracted people. He wanted people to focus on the treasure of knowing God and salvation through Christ.
That's what we set out to do. Jesus said let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise God. The focus is on people praising God, not us. The focus is on people recognizing the treasure of God, the treasure of Christ, the treasure of salvation. And when we treasure the gospel we will see to it that others hear it from us and see it through us.
We will want the treasured light of Christ to shine through us so people will be drawn to it. In the movies when someone finds hidden treasure it's depicted as bright and shiny. The gold, the gems the jewelry-all glittering and glowing. The treasure of Christ shines and is attractive and alluring. We need to open our treasure chest and let that light shine so people can find it. The things of God are treasures.
3) What's it worth to us?
We are a treasure to God but the question is...is he a treasure to us? The song, All in All says, "you are the treasure that I seek". Is that true? Are we: 'seeking him as a precious jewel'? What do we do when we find him?
Matt. 13:44, “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."
We have a person who finds this hidden treasure while he's in someone else's field. He hides it again and considers it to be so valuable that he sells everything he has to be able to buy the field and claim the treasure. Jesus isn't saying we can buy our way into heaven. He's highlighting the value it should have for us.
This person was overjoyed when he found this treasure. He saw it's worth as something he wanted more than everything else he had. That's how we should be. We should view what we have through Christ to be more valuable than anything else we could ever have.
But some people don't see it this way. Take for instance the rich young man. If you recall, he approached Jesus and asked him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life? Even though he had kept many of the commandments, Jesus told him there was something in his way.
Matt. 19:21-22, "Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When the young man heard this he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
In this case, Jesus indicates that selfless generosity would become a heavenly treasure for this man. Though he wouldn't be compensated in this life he would be in the next. That's how we need to see it. We might have a mindset of doing for others if there's something in it for us.
What will I get in return or how will this benefit me? People donate if they can write it off on their taxes. Organizations entice donors by offering a free giveaway if they give a certain amount. They do this because they know many people are not willing to give without getting something in return.
We give simply to be a blessing to others. However, we are getting something in return-we're building up treasures in heaven. And it doesn't have to be something extravagant or costly. In Matt. 10:42 Jesus said giving a cup of cold water to someone will bring a reward.
Although Jesus told this man to sell his things he isn't saying we all need to do this in order to follow Jesus and have treasures in heaven. Jesus' lesson in this verse is the same as the previous one-what's it worth to you? The first guy didn't hesitate selling all he had where the second one wasn't willing to let his go.
Hebrews 11 is called the faith chapter. Moses is mentioned there. He obeyed God's calling and became Israel's leader. But not without making a sacrifice.
Heb. 11:24-26, "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."
Moses grew up in the palace of Pharaoh and enjoyed the pleasures therein. He knew all about the slavery of the Israelites; he saw it on a daily basis. When he was grown he knew he was an Israelite and he became incensed that his people were being treated harshly. When he was forty he killed an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite slave. Then he ran away and stayed in Midian for forty years.
When he came back, God appeared to him and called him to lead his people. To do this, Moses would have to forsake any connection to Pharaoh, the palace, the luxuries he was accustomed to for all those years, etc. But Moses decided that serving God and the promise of heavenly treasures superseded the material, pagan treasures he had as a member of Pharaoh's family.
That sacrifice meant that Moses would become an Israelite slave instead of a royal prince. It meant he would be wandering around in the desert for forty years instead of sitting in a luxurious palace. It meant he would be having a nation grumble and complain about him instead of having a nation of submissive subjects who wouldn't dare speak against him if they valued their life.
And in the end, he wasn't even allowed to enter the Promised Land of Canaan. Instead, he would be entering the Promised Land of heaven and enjoying the treasures he had amassed there.
Did Moses make a foolish exchange when he forsook the pleasures of sin and the treasures of Egypt? Did he get the short end of the stick when he chose mistreatment and disgrace? No. The pleasures of sin last but a moment and the treasures of Egypt would someday be no more. But the treasures of heaven would last for eternity.
Paul understood this too. Phil. 3:7-9, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Paul was once a Pharisee; a religious official of the highest order. As a Pharisee, he was taken care of financially with all the money coming into the treasury on a regular basis. As a Pharisee he had power and status. He was an esteemed member of society and highly respected in the community. He had it all. But what he didn't have was Christ. Paul came to realize that without Christ he had nothing of real value.
Like Moses, Paul made sacrifices too. In giving up his position as a Pharisee he would be stripped of his flowing robes and religious attire. He would be stripped of the respect and admiration he had acquired. In exchange he would need to find a new source of income, he'd be considered a lunatic and be subject to beatings and imprisonment.
In the world's eyes the exchanges that Moses and Paul made are foolish. But through a spiritual lens, not making those exchanges would be foolish. Paul knew that he would have better and lasting possessions if he were willing to forsake his old life and grab hold of the life that is truly life. Knowing and serving Christ was a greater treasure to him than anything else.
Jesus made an exchange too. He was willing to leave the glory of heaven to come to earth. He left his throne where he was worshipped by angels to come here and be ridiculed, despised, hated, betrayed, beaten, tortured and crucified. Did he make a foolish exchange? No. Jesus knew he would receive heavenly treasures by doing so.
'But Jesus already has all the treasures of heaven-what could he possibly gain?' Us. Jesus made the ultimate exchange so he could gain the treasures of you and me. To Jesus we were worth the sacrifice. Paul could make the exchange he did because Jesus had already made the exchange for him.
How about us? Our exchange may not be as drastic as the ones Moses and Paul made but we will be challenged to decide if we're willing to sacrifice the pursuit of earthly treasures to build up heavenly ones. I can tell you it's worth it but you'll need to decide that for yourselves. Do you want to be a treasure seeker?
