Don't keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Matthew 6:19 (TPT)
Stuff of Treasures – Treasures Series – Part 2
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
In Ancient Hebrew times, the word treasure didn’t just refer to items that were protected and kept safe. A part of that treasure was also the container used to hold the items that were protected. Something left in plain view for anyone to take up was not a treasure. But something put away, protected, kept safe from mess and ruin, THAT was a treasure. And the container used to house it, equally so.
I wonder what things they treasured?
In Roman-occupied Israel, on the day that he taught from the famous Mount found in Matthew 6, Jesus' audience would have treasured many things. Some treasures would have been things they owned, hidden in jars in their homes. Some were treasures of the heart, protected and honored by traditions, commitments, and conducts. Other treasures would have included their hopes and dreams for future; things they didn’t currently have, but desperately wanted. Sometimes the absence of a thing, and the desire or desperation for it makes it a treasured thing also. Like Kingdom. Like power. Like freedom.
More and more, our culture treasures the external and the material. Things that we can touch and taste and see. Things that we can measure and contain. Quantifiable and tangible treasures seem to be of more value than some of the more humble and invisible ones. We ‘judge’ or assume the vastness of someone’s ‘treasury’ by the size of their house, the fatness of their pay-cheque, the prestige of their job, their fame on social media, the number of international flights they take, and all those whimsically posed holiday pictures on Instagram and Twitter.
I have spent many bitter (honest) days comparing my treasures to theirs. This leads us to place value on people according to their treasures. We see this in small and insidious ways in our day to day living… And then often, in glaringly obvious ways in politics and government. We treasure the wealthy, those who can seemingly contribute “more” to society, and we abandon those with less.
But what is it that we should be treasuring? Things? Or People?
At Christmas time, and at birthdays, I’m always challenged by the thought “How many gifts is enough?” I’ve used things to show my love for my people. And since my love for my loves is all encompassing, the ‘things’ that I give them to show my love will never be enough. But instead of asking the question, “should things be used as a measure of love,” we get caught in the trap of buying and spending and doing more. The treasure becomes how much we can give, instead of the act of giving and the recipient of the gift.
When it comes to my kids – goodness – they are my greatest treasure. And sure, I LOVE giving them gifts. Things. Stuff. It’s fun: toys are great, and my kids enjoy them. But it’s just a part of life, it doesn’t MAKE a life. My value as a parent doesn’t hinge on how full my kid's toy boxes are.
How full are my kid's hearts?
How full is my heart?
We all need “things” to live. Stuff isn’t bad. Stuff can be good and helpful and useful. They can make life easier, more efficient… but that's about it. Stuff isn’t THE treasure. My kids love toys, but the things that fill up their hearts look more time and fun and games and walks and swims at the beach and painting sessions and dancing in the shops – like no-one's watching – and backyard fire pits and Sunday morning pancakes…
Most nights, I ask my kids what the best and worst part of their days were. And nine times out of ten its relationship related, not “things” related.
What is it that you treasure? Is it something that can be locked away in a box on the top shelf? Or is your greatest treasure something that can only be housed in your heart and spirit?
Perhaps a more ‘heavenly’ place?
Over to you…What is your greatest treasure? Leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Go to Part 3 – Someone Else »
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I have been saved for 40 years. I used to live in 4000 sq feet of house. We were not rich but well enough that we wanted for nothing we needed. I felt somewhat secure. My greatest treasure was my home, my marriage, and my family. And then it all began to crumble. And after a period of a few years, one day, the entire rug of all that I held dear was pulled out from under me. I lost everything but my children. I had a breakdown as well so I was not only broken, but lost as to how to live. God has left me in the desert wilderness to get the “Egypt” out of me and to teach me what is important to Him. I have been broken, that the earthly treasures may be spilled out of me cause they got in the way. Now God can fill me up with Him that the fragrance of my life will be a sweet aroma, pleasing in His sight. One day, in His time, He will “restore what the locust have eaten.” “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not of ourselves.” 2 Cor 4:7
Oh Martha I’m so sorry to hear about what you have been through. In Hebrew practice the Ancients would “sit shiva” which means that when something traumatic or tragic happened they wouldn’t say anything but sit in silence with the person going through the hardship.
I’m taking a few minutes to sit in silence in honour of what you have been through.
May a new kind of grace and peace find you from this incredibly challenging season.
Much love and many blessings…
Jesse (and Lizzy)