Treasures – we all want them, we desire to have them and, on some occasions, we would give up anything to acquire them. When you think of the word “treasure,” what do you think of? . . . (Think, think, think) . . . Whether you actually thought of something or just read on, I’ll go ahead and tell you my observation: when people think of a treasure, they think of a beautiful chest full of gold, silver and other precious metals that are even priceless in some instances. But the truth of the matter is that a treasure can be far more than just scrap metal in a box.

As human beings, we tend to easily attach ourselves to many different people, places and things (phone, social media, music, etc.). Once attached, we’re completely glued to such objects and it’s impossible to depart from them. The true description of a treasure is anything with value in which we cherish. That can range anywhere from our family to food, even sneakers or money. No matter who you are, there’s something in your life that you treasure greatly.

 

During the sermon on the mount where Jesus spoke about the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3 – a must read if you haven’t before), He also spoke about treasures. Here are His recorded words:

 

Treasures in Heaven
“‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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 healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, 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 you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”’

(Matthew 6:19-24)

 

As we see in the scripture above, where our treasure is, there our heart will also be. In essence, if you switch around the order, you’ll see a different explanation of the verse that makes it easier to understand – whatever is in our heart ends up being what we treasure. The question then becomes this: what does your heart cause you to always think about? What’s always on your mind and in your heart? Is it finances (money)? Popularity? Desirability? Girls? Guys? Fame? Success? All of the above? Or is it God?

 

“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—

indeed, 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.

For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He holds success in store for the upright,

    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

for he guards the course of the just

    and protects the way of his faithful ones.”

(Proverbs 2:1-8)

 

When we start to place anything but God as our treasure or as first place in our lives, we begin to see the struggle becoming real. God did not intend for us to struggle or have to go through life crawling, living check by check or barely making it. As a Father, God doesn’t want to see us struggle but rather depend on Him as the provider. Unfortunately, we tend to seek out the things of this world like money and other objects that we idolize, causing God to become jealous and take them away from us.

 

Knowing our potential and being a jealous God, He doesn’t want to see anything else as our number one treasure when it should be Him. When we place things above Him, God, knowing how we are, takes them away for our own good so that we can depend on Him. Only God is the perfect provider and Father to His children. And when we place Him and only Him as our treasure, our lives will begin to bear much fruit.

 

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