Treasure Hunt (Part Two)
Today we continue our three-part Treasure Hunt series. What does the Bible say about treasure? Where do we find it? Let’s see where the treasure map leads us today.
We simplified. To get our home ready for sale, we weeded through closets and knick-knacks and only left the essentials so people could better imagine themselves in our house.
Back in October, I remember packing away all my Easter décor, thinking, Surely we’ll sell the house by Easter. With Easter approaching, I ran out to Hobby Lobby so we’d have some reminders of the season. Of the items hauled off to storage, there are a few things I miss, like the family photos and my cross wall, but overall, I have been able to function with less stuff and don’t remember what’s packed away. I’ve realized that material possessions are not important, and are fleeting, which brings us to our first point on the treasure map.
1. If we trust in treasures rather than God, we will lose the true treasure.
Proverbs 11:28 says, “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
Earthly treasures will wear out, we will tire of them, and often, we forget them, so why do they take over our lives at times? I remember in the book, Same Kind of Different as Me, Denver Moore, the homeless man Ron Hall befriended, saw the number of keys on Ron’s keychain, he asked something like, “Do you own everything those keys belong to or do they own you?”
Through the parable of the seeds found in Luke 8:4-15, Jesus said trusting in earthly treasure can impede our spiritual growth. There was seed trampled on, seed that fell among thorns, and the seed on good soil that yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. When explaining the parable to his disciples, Jesus said the seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear about God, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and do not mature.
Do worries prevent you from maturing in your faith?
Have your riches and treasures jumped in front of God?
Are pastimes taking more time than serving the Lord?
If so, how can we break free of that lifestyle and find true treasure?
2. True treasure can be found when we first fear the Lord.
The phrase “fear of the Lord” is found in the Bible over 300 times so that tells me we need to pay attention to it. Fear of the Lord is not the fear of punishment or torture from God. It is like the fear a child has for his father and because of that, wants to please his dad. A child has a fear of offending the one he or she loves. When we fear the Lord, he will begin to unveil his treasure that is waiting for us.
3. There is hidden treasure in God’s Word.
Proverbs 2:1-5 says, “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 or insight and cry aloud for understand 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.”
If there is hidden treasure in the Bible, are we digging into it every day? If you desire treasure from God’s word, ask him for a revelation because the Word is active and living and will speak to you.
4. Treasure can be found in God’s creation.
In the King James translation, Psalm 104:24 says the earth is full of God’s riches. Where is God’s treasure? Look around.
As I was driving home yesterday, I knew spring was here to stay because of the bouquets of bluebonnets painting the side of the road. Are you a fan of creation? Psalm 104 also says the LORD wraps himself in light like a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a tent. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. What a visual! Today, take one aspect of creation: a flower, a bunny or a sunset and praise God for the treasure he shares with us.
On Tuesday, we will conclude our treasure hunt by finding out what God treasures.