The immeasurable riches

What treasures or valuables do you own that are worth keeping safe? Her grandparents' jewelry? Or the latest smartphone with all the trimmings? Whatever it is, these things can easily become our idols and distract us from what is important. The Bible teaches us that we should never fear losing the true treasure, Jesus Christ. The intimate relationship with Jesus surpasses all worldly riches: «You should not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust eat them up and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust will eat them, and where thieves will not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart is also" (Matthew 6,19-21).

I would like to share with you the following funny story of a man who couldn't part with his money: There was a greedy old miser who loved his money so much that his wife had to promise him that after his death she would give her every penny would put in the coffin. As luck would have it, he actually died and just before he was buried, his wife placed a casket in the coffin. Her friend asked her if she really kept her promise to bury him with all the money. She replied: Of course I did! I am a good Christian and I have kept my word. I put every penny he had into my bank account and wrote him a check and put it in the cash box!

We admire the woman for her cleverness and for her clever solution to the problem. At the same time, we recognize the stupidity of the man who believed that material possessions could secure his life. Because you trust God, you know you have an abundant life assured in Jesus, a life of untold riches. Jesus said: But I came to give them life in all its fullness (John 10,10 New Life Bible).

It is sad when we lose sight of this reality and settle for worldly spare change. But let's face it, in our materialistic world there is always something brilliant that distracts us: "Now that you have been raised with Christ, seek that which is above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Seek what is above, not what is on earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3,1-3).

Here's a little reminder how we can keep our eyes on the reality we have in Christ so that we don't make fools of ourselves on this side of the grave. I hope this will serve as a useful reminder the next time you are tempted by worldly riches. The treasure you have is a pearl of great price, an immeasurable wealth.

from Greg Williams