“Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” Matthew 6:19-21

True Value

Many things in life bring value or have worth. Before I knew Jesus as my Savor and Lord, I bounced from thing to thing searching for that sense of security and/or worth, usually ending up empty and unsatisfied.

Every now and then I revert back to seeking old pleasures, thinking they will soothe a hurt or fill a need. Maybe I do it due to boredom, probably because the Lord is trying to get my attention. I need to stop and get a grip, turn to Him, and seek Him deeper still. He was and is the only answer to daily issues, as well as big problems.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).

What are these treasures Jesus is talking about in these two parables? I’m praying for the Lord to continually reveal the things I pick up that have NO value compared to that treasure in the field. I believe the pearl is a life in pursuit of knowing Christ; and whatever it takes, we sell or give up in obedience to know Him more and live for His purpose. This is our treasure and this is our joy.

When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed to the Father that the cup He was about to take would pass from Him, but nevertheless, “Not My will, but as You will.” Jesus knew the excruciating suffering He was about to face physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He didn’t want to go through it, but He chose the Father’s will. He laid down His desire and life, knowing the great result, reward, and treasure.

We will never experience suffering to the extent our Lord did, but we are taken through fire, “…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7), and “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7).

 Jesus is our treasure and true value. And we are His treasure more than we can ever imagine. My prayer is as the song, “Turn My Eyes,” says: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”*

Dear Lord, You are our treasure and true value. May we realize this truth. Amen.

*Helen H. Lemmel | Klaus Kuehn, © 2012 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook))