Treasure Hunt
Illustration: The Pirate's Gold in Adak Islands
In 1892, an illegal seal poacher and Pirate named Gregory Dwargstaf hid gold coins worth $365 million dollars in 150 food and milk tin cans, on the island of Adak. He was running away from the govt officials and found the secluded island to be the best place for his treasure to be hidden for a long time. But before he could come back to get it, he was arrested when his ship wrecked and ultimately died in prison.
In World War II, the island was used as a base by America to attack Japan. During the construction of the base in 1943, a worker found a tin can with gold coins from the 1880s-90s which was worth thousands of dollars. Later on, in 1959, another can with $2.5 million dollars worth of gold was found by a Seabee while constructing drainage.
But since the island was working as an army base, digging of land was absolutely prohibited and you would be punished if found doing such acts. Until 1997 when all the army operations ended, the handful of people who knew about the treasure, couldn’t find anything due to the changes that human settlement and the army had done to the island and also, due to its harsh tundra weather conditions which freezes the land in winters.
In 2022, the island is going to collapse economically and it needs funds to keep functioning. Therefore, Mayor Thom Spitler has called upon the experts to work together and find the treasure. Out of which 95% will go to the Island and 5% will be awarded to them but the catch is, that they will not be paid at all unless they find the treasure.
“Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus Teachings:
"Don't store up treasures on earth!
Reasons:
1. Moth and rust can destroy them
2. Thieves can BREAK IN and STEAL THEM
INSTEAD STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Reasons:
1. Moth and rust cannot destroy them
2. Thieves cannot break in and steal them
YOUR HEART WILL ALWAYS BE WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS."
TO UNDERSTAND THIS POWERFUL METAPHOR
1. Consider the setting
2. Consider the recepients
3. Consider the way Jesus thinks
JUST LIKE THE CHANGES OF TIME IT MAY BE MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISAPPLIED
THE USUAL READING: Don't get rich financially on earth but get rich in heaven by depositing all your goods, all your services, through religious activities and it will be credited to you in heaven.
It is not a bad reading but not the only reading with this powerful metaphor. EVEN THE CONTEXT CLEARLY SUGGEST.
Eastern Interpretation:
The word TREASURE in GREEK is TREASURE
HEAVEN AS SPIRITUAL LITERAL PLACE
AND HEAVEN WITHIN YOU (MIND)
THE KINGDOM OF GOD (HEAVEN) is TIMELESS
“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.””
??Luke? ?17:20-21? ?NKJV??
IN OTHER WORDS RESTORE YOUR TREASURE WITHIN YOU (MIND)
WHY JESUS IS THE GREATEST TREASURE A PERSON CAN HAVE?
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””
??Matthew? ?11:28-30? ?NIV??
JESUS IS EVERYTHING. THEREFORE, LEARN FROM HIS TEACHINGS!
IT IS NOT SIN TO GAIN EARTHLY TREASURES OR BECOME WEALTHY. HOWEVER, EARTHLY TREASURES CAN BECOME TOOLS EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL ON EARTH.
E.G.
1. EXPENSIVE BIKE IS NOT THE REAL TREASURE BUT THE JOY OF RIDING IT IN TRAILS. THEY CAN STEAL THE BIKE BUT NOT THE JOY
2. FISH IS NOT THE REAL TREASURE BUT THE FULFILMENT OF FISHING. FISH CAN BE GONE IN AN INSTANT AFTER FRYING IT BUT NOT THE FULFILMENT AND SATISFACTION
3. HOUSE IS NOT THE REAL TREASURE BUT THE SHELTER, SAFETY, PEACE, REST.
4. CHANNEL BAGS, LOUVITON ARE NOT THE REAL TREASURES BUT THE ENJOYMENT
IN OTHER WORDS, EVERY MATERIAL POSSESSIONS ARE TOOLS TO HAVE THE REAL TREASURES.
HOWEVER, TOO ATTACHED TO MATERIAL THINGS WILL MAKE YOU EXPERIENCE HELL ON EARTH.
E.G.
1. WHEN YOUR BIKE IS BROKEN, SCRATCH, CAN'T SLEEP. WHEN YOUR BIKE IS TOO EXPENSIVE YOU WILL SAVE YOUR BIKE FIRST BEFORE SAVING YOUR COLAR BONES AND RIBS
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.””
??2 Corinthians? ?9:8-9? ?NIV??
