To the left you can see a treasure map. What would you do if you found a treasure map? Would you try to find the treasure? This is an interesting question, because in all of life we are searching for treasures. And in all of life we have treasures. Jesus tells us that we can know what we treasure by what we value in our heart. Matthew 6:19-21 says, 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus challenges us to have treasures that cannot be destroyed, stolen, or consumed. If you think about this for any time at all, you will realize that treasures like this cannot be physical or material. They have to be spiritual. So the first step is to try and determine what your treasures are now. And to figure this out, all you have to do is search your heart. Your heart will determine for you what you treasure. Where do you spend your time, money, and energy? That is what you treasure.
The second step is to figure out what you should treasure. And the Bible gives us a host of important treasures. Things like salvation, the Kingdom of Heaven, and love. These are some of the things that we will take with us to heaven; some of the things that we are to treasure in our hearts. Yet it can be difficult to rid ourselves of our old treasures so that we might replace them with the more appropriate treasures. In Matthew 19:16-22, Jesus tells us of just such a story:
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" 20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 21Jesus 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." 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." This man's wealth and possessions were keeping him from receiving the treasure of eternal life. And so Jesus told the man to get rid of this treasure, but he could not.
What treasure is in your life that keeps you from valuing the true treasures? What do you need to get rid of so that you can follow Jesus? Why do you think it is so hard to rid ourselves of these treasures. As hard as it is to part with false treasures, it is worth the sacrifice. Great rewards are awaiting us when we can get rid of the fake treasure, and grab hold of the real treasure. Tell me what you think (pastorchrislogan@yahoo.com).
