We all seek something to treasure… in most cases, we already have something or someone that we treasure. For most of us, what we treasure has only temporary value – not lasting value. The Bible tells us about treasure that lasts.
Whatever treasure we may have, we all seek to collect more of it. Sometimes, we dwell on our personal “treasures” more than we should, thinking that it’s far more valuable than it’s actually worth. We even hide that our treasures away so that only we can enjoy them. But, there is some treasure that’s worth more than you imagine and it’s best valued when it isn’t hidden.
Is your treasure earthly or heavenly?
Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about our treasure…
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This passage contrasts the two locations that house our treasures – earth or heaven. The old adage “you can’t take it with you” certainly applies to what most of us considers to be treasure. We count possessions, material things and sentimental items as our treasure. These things won’t last – anyone who has experienced a disaster of some sort can testify to this being true. But there are treasures that can be stored in heaven – heavenly treasures that really matter and that last forever. The disasters and mishaps that destroy our earthly treasures can’t impact heavenly treasures. Losing earthly treasures can be an inconvenience, but if our treasures are stored in heaven, our heart will be with those treasures, so we will not be broken-hearted when earthly treasures perish.
Think about what you value, what you treasure and answer these questions:
- What are you trusting in for happiness?
- What are you saving up for security?
- What are your big plans in life?
By answering these questions, you can get a pretty good picture of where your treasure is…
So, what is heavenly treasure? The Bible mentions treasure a great deal. In Isaiah 33, the prophet gives us God’s view of a heavenly treasure:
5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
This passage shows us what is pleasing to the Lord, including things that bring stability and strength (wisdom, knowledge and salvation from God). It’s trendy to follow earthly wisdom, to strive after the knowledge of man or to seek salvation on human terms that are different from God’s plan. But all of that is nothing but rubbish and is based on a prideful desire for treasure that satisfies the flesh.
So what results in ultimate treasure? It’s the fear of the Lord. To fear not pleasing Him, to fear separation from Him and to fear His righteous judgment. It is this fear that causes one to submit to God’s plan, to accept His reconciliation and trust in His salvation through Jesus Christ. It is this fear that compels believers to love God with all their heart, mind and strength and to seek His wisdom and grow in His knowledge.
With that in mind, let’s consider some of the ways Jesus Christ described heavenly treasure
I. A heavenly treasure is SPOKEN. (Matthew 12:34-37)
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Here we see Jesus as He addresses the Pharisees, those Jewish leaders who were expert in the Law but not even babes in grace. He admonished them for their murmuring after he had just cast out devils and healed a man. Jesus knew their words and thoughts, just like he knows our words and thoughts.
Based on what Jesus said, we can conclude that:
We must be careful how we speak. Your words reflect where your treasure is found.
There’s a second encounter that Jesus had that shows us something about heavenly treasure…
II. A heavenly treasure is SHARED and SURRENDERED. (Mark 10:17-21)
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
This Scripture account shows how Jesus dealt with a young man (which we know from other gospel records as a rich young ruler), one who had obvious wealth, which he treasured greatly. He was seeking eternal life. He was probably willing to purchase it, if it could be for sale, but he had no idea of the price. He was not willing to agree to God’s terms. His treasure was in wealth and prosperity, which he would not share and would not surrender to God.
Based on what we learned from Jesus in this encounter, we can conclude that:
What you share and how much of your life you surrender to God’s will gives indication of where your treasure is found.
The final illustration is one that describes what Jesus did to show us heavenly treasure…
III. A heavenly treasure is SHOWN / SPREAD. (2 Corinthians 4:1-7)
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
What we find here is that heavenly treasure is not a treasure we hide. It’s a treasure that we show, we spread and we celebrate. It’s the great salvation that God provided through His Son Jesus Christ.
Without this treasure, we cannot begin to have other heavenly treasures.
This treasure changes lives, it brings light into darkness and it makes all things new.
Knowing these things, two questions beg to be asked:
Do you have this treasure?
If you do, are you showing it and spreading it around?
A Few Thoughts about Finding Heavenly Treasure…
If you are missing out on heavenly treasure, there’s one sure place to find it: in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s only Son, who came from Heaven to earth to give His life as a ransom for you and me. He substituted His perfect life as payment for our sin debt.
You see, the Bible clearly states that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Because we owe that sin debt, we have a price to pay. That price is death and eternal separation from God in a place that’s utterly undesirable, called Hell (Romans 6:23).
But God, because of His great love for us, even while we were sinful, paid the price for us by sending His perfect Son to die in your place and my place (Romans 6:23 and Romans 5:8). That was God’s gift to you and to me – eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is a gift of grace – something that you and I don’t deserve.
In order to have that gift, you must claim it and receive it. That happens by calling upon Jesus to save you (Romans 10:13) and believing on Him for everlasting life (John 3:16). That belief must be a complete faith and trust in Jesus’ sacrifice because there’s nothing else that you can do to be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Do you want the treasure described above… Here is a simple way to find it and receive it:
- Admit that you are a sinner and that you deserve to pay the price for that sin.
- Believe that God loves you so much that He paid the price for you with His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.
- Call upon Jesus Christ to save you from your sin, believing that He will do it.
God promises that if you do the above, truly believing and trusting in Jesus Christ with all of your heart, soul and mind, you will be saved or “born again” in Christ. You will experience a new life with many more treasures found in the unsearchable riches of Jesus.
