The Treasure Principle Series

There are some who say that Jesus’ statement in Matthew 13:44 refers to people finding the treasure of Jesus himself. There are others who say that Jesus is referring to his own sacrifice to obtain the treasure of the people and the kingdom he rules. But, as Alcorn says, “In either case, it certainly portrays the joy of finding eternal treasure with value that far surpasses the costs to obtain it.”

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure is one of many references Jesus made to money. In fact, Daniel Doriani notes, “Jesus taught more about wealth than about any other social issue—more than marriage, politics, work, sex, or power. His teaching about money stands in a discussion of discipleship and loyalty to God.” Alcorn puts it this way, “Our approach to money and possessions is central to our spiritual lives.”

Let me remind you of some passages in which Jesus addressed the issue of money and possessions. When Zacchaeus was saved, he said to Jesus, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus affirmed Zacchaeus’ conversion, and said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9a). Zacchaeus’ new approach to money proved that he was genuinely converted.

Think of the poor widow who put two small copper coins, which make a penny, into the offering box. Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43–44).

In contrast to these examples, Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16–21, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ” And then Jesus made this devastating indictment against the rich man, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Jesus also encountered a rich, young ruler who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. After assuring Jesus that he was a devout law keeper, Jesus said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). Jesus knew that this rich, young ruler could not serve God and money. Sadly, the rich, young ruler walked away, and did not inherit eternal life.

The rich, young ruler was not willing to sell everything in order to gain a greater treasure. But the man in the Parable of the Hidden Treasure was willing to sell everything in order to gain a greater treasure. Now, we don’t feel sorry for the traveler in the field who discovered the hidden treasure. We recognize that he gained far more than he lost. And here is the point that Alcorn makes so well: