Treasures are various, and their value is according to individual estimation. We speak of treasures in the sea, treasures hid in the sand, treasures in the heart of the earth, treasures of science, and so on.
Or one may speak of a vast accumulation of money in the bank, and call this his treasure. A mother folds her babe in her arms, and calls it her treasure. A little child directs your attention to his toys and books, and calls them his treasure. All are valued in their way; but, sad to say, none of them is lasting! Earthquakes, floods, and failures remove the banks; death takes the child; destruction follows the books. And where are the treasures?
Dear reader, have you suffered the loss of treasures? Then is your heart open to receive a lasting one?
"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise." Prov. 21:2020There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. (Proverbs 21:20). The Treasure is Christ; the dwelling of the wise is His home.
A few weeks ago I was walking down the road near the sea shore, when I was accosted by the following words from a fisherman whom I had never met before: "Mister, I have something to tell you. There is a poor old man down this road who has lost his treasure. He had managed to lay by from his hard earnings a few hundred dollars. He hid his money in two wheat-stacks.
Last night lightning struck the wheat-stacks, and they were burned down. All his savings were lost in the fire."
"Poor man!" I exclaimed. "And what did he do?"
"Why, he is weeping and wailing, and refuses to be comforted."
"Well, my good man," I said, "I must tell you of my great treasure."
"Have you got one, too?"
"Yes, I've got a treasure that cannot be destroyed:—no fire can burn, no flood drown, no circumstance shake; even death can have no dominion over my treasure."
"You must mean the Lord God Almighty, sir."
"My friend, my Treasure is Christ—God's beloved Son—who is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He has been upon this earth and suffered a shameful death upon the cross. It was there that He bore the punishment for my sins, and for all those who believe on Him.
"Do you wonder at my calling the Lord Jesus Christ my Treasure? You would not, if you knew Him. The better one knows Him, the more one is amazed at the exceeding beauty and riches and glory that are in Him! Listen to His words: 'Riches and honor are with Me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and My revenue than choice silver.' Prov. 8:18, 1918Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. (Proverbs 8:18‑19). Is not Christ worth having?"
"Yes, He is; and I am doing my best to obtain Him."
"What is your best?"
"I bow my knees several times every day and say my prayers."
"And you think to earn salvation in that way?"
"Well, I know that God is merciful. I'm no scholar;
I'm just a poor old man; and when my time comes to die, I just hope He will accept the best I have to offer."
"My friend, you will never get God's great Gift—His own Treasure—by any of your doings. God gave His dear Son to die for you and for me-poor, guilty, lost sinners. Would you, then, do despite to God's grace by trying to earn or to buy its benefits? Forsake all your poor efforts. Come to Christ, the Savior. Tell Him you have nothing but your sins to bring Him. Tell Him that your treasures of wickedness profit you nothing, but that it is written: `The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' Believe it in your heart, and you will receive the greatest of all treasures—LIFE ETERNAL. Then as His own you will become a part of His treasure."
Tears were streaming down the poor man's cheeks—tears of "joy and sorrow mingled"—as he said with trembling lips: "What a Treasure—What a Treasure is Jesus, my Lord!"
Dear reader, will you not give Him first place in your heart? He alone is worthy!