Lasting Treasure
The Deceptive Allure of Earthly Treasures
In a world that often measures success by material wealth, we are confronted with a profound question: Where do our true treasures lie? The story of Bertha Adams, a 71-year-old woman who died alone in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Easter Sunday 1976, serves as a stark reminder of the hollowness of material riches. Despite living in squalor and begging for food, Bertha was discovered to be a multi-millionaire after her death. Her life stands as a radical parable of the toxic nature of materialism – promising everything but unable to provide what we truly need.
This world, as the lyrics of a Cademan's Call song remind us, has "everything I could ever want and nothing that I need." It's a poignant reflection of the struggle many face – the division between the material and the spiritual, the temporal and the eternal. Yet, we are called to a higher purpose, one that transcends the fleeting pleasures of earthly possessions.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21 ring true across millennia: "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."
But what does it mean to store up treasures in heaven? It's not about banning possessions or embracing a form of spiritual socialism. Rather, it's about where we find our ultimate satisfaction and purpose. Jesus is interested in the matters of the heart, not legal checklists or mere behavior modification.
Our earthly treasures can take many forms – a job, a lavish lifestyle, the next vacation, a vehicle, the latest gadgets, or even family. While these things aren't inherently wrong, they become problematic when they consume our hearts and minds, becoming the central focus of our existence. Jesus reminds us that everything in this world has an expiration date. We cannot take our wealth with us into eternity, as the humorous story of the dying rich man and his three envelopes illustrates.
Instead, we are called to focus on eternal treasures. While Scripture doesn't provide extensive details on heavenly rewards, we know they are secure, untouchable by earthly threats or decay. This promise solidifies our identity as children of God, making us "aliens" in this world, with our true home in God's kingdom.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate how our spiritual vision affects our entire being. Like a camera's aperture controlling the amount of light reaching the sensor, our spiritual eyes determine how much of God's light fills our souls. Materialism acts as a powerful light blocker, potentially leading to spiritual darkness.
In our modern world, distractions abound. Recent studies show that North Americans spend an average of over five hours daily on their phones. This statistic raises questions about how such habits affect our ability to focus on God and cultivate our spiritual lives.
The core of the matter lies in a fundamental choice: Which kingdom are we building? We cannot serve two masters. God requires complete commitment, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."
A materialistic mindset inevitably breeds anxiety. When we put ourselves in the captain's chair of our lives, trying to manage and manipulate our circumstances, we take on a burden too heavy to bear. Jesus addresses this, repeatedly urging us not to be anxious about our lives. In a world where anxiety levels are rising dramatically, particularly regarding current events, Jesus offers a profound alternative.
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). This verse isn't a simplistic solution to life's problems. Instead, it points to a deeper reality – that being a child of God and building His kingdom provides a purpose and meaning that outweighs the turbulence and uncertainty of this world.
Moreover, it brings a peace that surpasses understanding. As Jesus promises in John 14:27, "My peace I give you." This peace offers an inner calm and sense of security amidst life's challenges. It's not about escaping difficulties but finding stability in God's presence through them.
Seeking God's kingdom is an ongoing process, requiring daily self-examination. We must continually ask ourselves: Are our spiritual eyes letting in God's light? Are we laying up treasures on earth? Is anything taking God's place in our hearts? Are we embracing our identity as God's children and celebrating our salvation daily?
For those struggling with anxiety and worry, the path to healing lies in surrender. It's about letting go of our tight grip on the things we think we need to control. The story of the Spanish conquistadors fleeing Tenochtitlan illustrates this powerfully. Many drowned, unable to let go of the gold weighing them down. Similarly, we often cling to our "treasures," even when they threaten to drag us under.
The lie of materialism is that it can fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. But true fulfillment comes only through surrendering to God – our ambitions, our families, our very selves. It's a difficult process, but a necessary one.
God's peace cannot be bought or earned; it must be traded. We trade our kingdom for His, our burdens for His yoke. As Matthew 11:28-30 beautifully expresses, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
In a world consumed by stress and anxiety, the absence of worry in the lives of believers can be a powerful witness. When others see joy and peace in us despite life's challenges, they are drawn to the source of that peace – a life centered on God's kingdom.
As we navigate this material world, may we continually examine our hearts, surrender our earthly treasures, and find our true worth and peace in God's eternal kingdom. For in this lies the most powerful treasure a person can ever possess – the indwelling presence of God Himself.
In a world that often measures success by material wealth, we are confronted with a profound question: Where do our true treasures lie? The story of Bertha Adams, a 71-year-old woman who died alone in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Easter Sunday 1976, serves as a stark reminder of the hollowness of material riches. Despite living in squalor and begging for food, Bertha was discovered to be a multi-millionaire after her death. Her life stands as a radical parable of the toxic nature of materialism – promising everything but unable to provide what we truly need.
This world, as the lyrics of a Cademan's Call song remind us, has "everything I could ever want and nothing that I need." It's a poignant reflection of the struggle many face – the division between the material and the spiritual, the temporal and the eternal. Yet, we are called to a higher purpose, one that transcends the fleeting pleasures of earthly possessions.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21 ring true across millennia: "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."
But what does it mean to store up treasures in heaven? It's not about banning possessions or embracing a form of spiritual socialism. Rather, it's about where we find our ultimate satisfaction and purpose. Jesus is interested in the matters of the heart, not legal checklists or mere behavior modification.
Our earthly treasures can take many forms – a job, a lavish lifestyle, the next vacation, a vehicle, the latest gadgets, or even family. While these things aren't inherently wrong, they become problematic when they consume our hearts and minds, becoming the central focus of our existence. Jesus reminds us that everything in this world has an expiration date. We cannot take our wealth with us into eternity, as the humorous story of the dying rich man and his three envelopes illustrates.
Instead, we are called to focus on eternal treasures. While Scripture doesn't provide extensive details on heavenly rewards, we know they are secure, untouchable by earthly threats or decay. This promise solidifies our identity as children of God, making us "aliens" in this world, with our true home in God's kingdom.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate how our spiritual vision affects our entire being. Like a camera's aperture controlling the amount of light reaching the sensor, our spiritual eyes determine how much of God's light fills our souls. Materialism acts as a powerful light blocker, potentially leading to spiritual darkness.
In our modern world, distractions abound. Recent studies show that North Americans spend an average of over five hours daily on their phones. This statistic raises questions about how such habits affect our ability to focus on God and cultivate our spiritual lives.
The core of the matter lies in a fundamental choice: Which kingdom are we building? We cannot serve two masters. God requires complete commitment, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."
A materialistic mindset inevitably breeds anxiety. When we put ourselves in the captain's chair of our lives, trying to manage and manipulate our circumstances, we take on a burden too heavy to bear. Jesus addresses this, repeatedly urging us not to be anxious about our lives. In a world where anxiety levels are rising dramatically, particularly regarding current events, Jesus offers a profound alternative.
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). This verse isn't a simplistic solution to life's problems. Instead, it points to a deeper reality – that being a child of God and building His kingdom provides a purpose and meaning that outweighs the turbulence and uncertainty of this world.
Moreover, it brings a peace that surpasses understanding. As Jesus promises in John 14:27, "My peace I give you." This peace offers an inner calm and sense of security amidst life's challenges. It's not about escaping difficulties but finding stability in God's presence through them.
Seeking God's kingdom is an ongoing process, requiring daily self-examination. We must continually ask ourselves: Are our spiritual eyes letting in God's light? Are we laying up treasures on earth? Is anything taking God's place in our hearts? Are we embracing our identity as God's children and celebrating our salvation daily?
For those struggling with anxiety and worry, the path to healing lies in surrender. It's about letting go of our tight grip on the things we think we need to control. The story of the Spanish conquistadors fleeing Tenochtitlan illustrates this powerfully. Many drowned, unable to let go of the gold weighing them down. Similarly, we often cling to our "treasures," even when they threaten to drag us under.
The lie of materialism is that it can fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. But true fulfillment comes only through surrendering to God – our ambitions, our families, our very selves. It's a difficult process, but a necessary one.
God's peace cannot be bought or earned; it must be traded. We trade our kingdom for His, our burdens for His yoke. As Matthew 11:28-30 beautifully expresses, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
In a world consumed by stress and anxiety, the absence of worry in the lives of believers can be a powerful witness. When others see joy and peace in us despite life's challenges, they are drawn to the source of that peace – a life centered on God's kingdom.
As we navigate this material world, may we continually examine our hearts, surrender our earthly treasures, and find our true worth and peace in God's eternal kingdom. For in this lies the most powerful treasure a person can ever possess – the indwelling presence of God Himself.
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