Sunken Treasure

Not long ago, treasure seekers discovered a vast horde of ancient gold coins at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. After years of expensive endeavors and costly failures they finally "struck gold." It was a once in a lifetime find and everyone associated with it instantly became rich. But while this brought unusual "padding" to their bank accounts, it did nothing for their heavenly reward. In fact, the vast wealth now available to the discoverers was a huge temptation to greed. For that reason, it was "sunken treasure"!

Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Lk 12:34). That for which we spend ourselves and our resources will rivet our affections. The discoverers devoted all their time, energy, and resources to finding sunken treasure. Part of its “sunken-ness” has to do with its temporality. It fades. It does not last. It will eventually perish. But heavenly treasure is eternal. That means if we focus our efforts on and spend ourselves for the things of God, then our wealth is forever preserved in heaven. But if our hearts are set upon the things of this earth, then our treasure will be short-lived. Worldly possessions spoil and are spoiled. They have the potential of choking the soul out of its hold on the truth, are easily stolen and may be destroyed by both seen and unseen forces. Scripture teaches that spiritual riches ennoble the soul and neither rust nor may be taken away. Why settle for "sunken treasure" when you can have heavenly riches that will not spoil with the keeping, not waste with the spending, and not disintegrate with the passage of ages? Jesus guarantees that if you seek, you will find (Mt 7:7). And you need not dive to the bottom of the ocean!

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