Treasures are often found in the most unusual places, such as a cornfield, the walls of ancient ruins, and ship wrecks. One wonders why the original owners chose a particular spot to hide their valuables. There were not that many options in ancient times, but we have safes today, installed at some obscure place at home, while the wealthy store their treasures in secure vaults in banks. Stories sometimes surface of people who hide their valuables where no one will look for it, such as a freezer, a book or any place where robbers will not waste their time looking for things to steal.
Jesus counsels us not to store up treasures where moth and rust destroy, or where thieves break in and steal, but in heaven where it will be safe.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“ Interesting point, because you will always keep that treasure in mind, even check on it from time to time to see if it is still safe. Treasures mean much to us!
Equally interesting is the fact that God too has treasures that He thinks about — and visits all the time to check on. Contrary to the advice given to us though, He hides His gems on earth, invested safely where it is easy to find, yet very few bother to look. There can be no doubt that His heart is also where His treasure is.
God invites us to go on a treasure hunt; He wants us to find some gems. After all, He didn’t hide it from us, but for us! Paul gives us some pointers, and then leads us straight to the treasure:
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6,7
God, who called light out of darkness, shone His light in our hearts, revealing His glory in the face of Jesus. That glorious light, the very presence of God that expels darkness, shines in our hearts! And He hid it in us — fragile earthen vessels as we are, with our flaws and imperfections.
When we look at ourselves we only see the earthen vessel, and promptly disqualify ourselves as unworthy and useless. Yet God invested so much in us to empower us for the work He called us to. And it must be so, for the glory that follows goes straight to God. We know all too well that we are unable to do anything for Him in our own strength.
Wonderful as it is, this excellent treasure remains largely hidden, yet to be discovered. Consequently, we have no idea of who we really are in Christ; we are just too conscious of the dusty substance our vessels were made of. If the church could only find out who we are, and what God has given to us in Christ, we will take the world in a day. But for now, we spend our prayers on asking for things God already gave us.
The new creation is a powerful being who instills fear in the camp of our enemy. He knows it better than we do, and defends Himself by keeping us from studying the Word, in case we discover God’s treasure there. The devil knows he is defeated, that he can do us no harm, and that we have the upper hand over him because Christ lives in us.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Ignorance of the truth has always been our fiercest enemy. Oh, how the Father desires for us to rise up and take our place! That we might hear the voice of the Holy Spirit as He whispers these glorious truths to our hearts. He knows, and He yearns to share it with us!
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:11,12
“That we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” What things? Things us Christians long for, not realizing they are hidden inside of us. The new birth comes with a package that contains much more than the privilege of spending eternity with the Lord.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 2 Corinthians 13:4
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption… 1 Corinthians 1:30
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace… Ephesians 1:7
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9,10
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses… Colossians 2:13
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16,17
Yes, we are imperfect, and God knows it, still He chose us to represent Him on earth. He doesn’t want to display our perfection, but His glory. Our sanctification is a work in progress:
…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ… Philippians 1:6
God poured out His love in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and He promised to never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) His eye is on His blood-bought treasure.
You are richer than you think!
