Treasure Hunting

When I was young, I hoped to find a pirate’s map to a buried treasure. I don’t know how many other kids shared that dream, but I know that many adults now have the dream of winning the Powerball Lottery and retiring early. You’d think that possessing millions of dollars will set a person for life. Sadly, analysis shows that those who do win the lottery often waste it away in a relatively short time.

Some athletes and entertainers who have earned millions, later file for bankruptcy. I wonder if that is what Solomon had observed when he wrote, “An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (Proverbs 20:21).

However, there are two treasures for which there is no downside. Instead, they always add blessings to your life. The first treasure is the Word of God. The Bible is not an old, dry, crusty book. Hebrews 4:12 describes it as “living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The Spirit of God uses the unchanging Word of God to plumb the depths of our hearts in order to expose our motives. The Bible defines the blessing as obtaining a proper understanding of God and the starting place for building a life of wisdom. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Like finding buried or sunken treasure, this wisdom isn’t discovered without effort. “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1–5).

Because the Bible is so readily available in our country, some Americans take it for granted. They wouldn’t think twice about picking up a twenty-dollar bill off the sidewalk, but they don’t bother to open the pages of the Scripture. Notice the three “ifs” before you come to the “then.”

• If you apply the Word to your life
• If you ask for God’s help as you study
• If you make concerted efforts to seek out its treasures
• Then you will have a proper understanding of God

The beauty of the Scriptures is that a life of wisdom is not just available to studious adults. Upon being raised hearing the words of the Bible, children grow into mature adults with a proper view of God.

The second treasure (and far more valuable) is the discovery of Jesus. When you come to know Him (not just know facts about Him), your life takes on blessing upon blessing. That doesn’t mean everything is rosy. There are still trials, but knowing Jesus and that He walks with you through the trials is a blessing. “The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44).

When I learned that Jesus died to suffer the penalty for my sin, and came back to life, I also learned that the Bible is the treasure map that shows how I could know Him personally: I needed to repent of my sin and ask Him to lead my life. I did that on September 12, 1971. I can attest that He is the Treasure and the Blessing.

Revmar51@gmail.com