Buried Treasure

Introduction:

Read Matthew 13:44. “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.” NKJV As Randy Alcorn states, “It envisions the joy of finding great and eternal treasure that far surpasses the costs to obtain it.” Jesus often illustrates His teachings by using money and possessions. He sees our faith and finances as inseparable. When Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist, preached to the people about bearing the fruits of repentance, notice what his response dealt with. (Luke 3:11-14) Each answer relates to money and possessions! Zaccheus’ attitude toward his money and possessions was evidence of his pure heart. (Luke 19:8) When a rich young ruler asked Jesus about how to gain eternal life, Jesus told him this. “Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21) This young man considered the price too high. He was vastly different than the man in our parable in Matthew 13:44. This man gave up everything he owned to gain everything that mattered. Jesus appeals to us to value heavenly treasure not earthly. This plea is similar to David’s words in Psalm 119:162.

Body:

Treasures on Earth

ReadMatthew 6:19-21.
Jesus explains why spending all our time storing up treasures on earth is not wise. It’s not because earthly treasures are bad, but because they won’t last. (Proverbs 23:5) Each of us will lose all of our earthly possessions. No exceptions. We will either lose them while we live or we will leave them when we die.
Imagine you are alive at the end of the Civil War. You’re living in the South, but you are a Northerner. You plan to move home as soon as the war is over. While in the South, you’ve accumulated lots of Confederate money. Now, suppose you know for a fact that the North is going to win and the end is near. What will you do with your Confederate money? If you’re smart, you will cash in your Confederate money for U.S. money. That’s the only money that will have any value once the war is over. As a Christian, you know Earth’s currency will become worthless when Christ returns or when you die. So Jesus tells us to switch currency; transfer our funds from earth to heaven. Realizing the value of Earth’s currency should radically change our investment strategy.

Treasures in Heaven

Several principles pop out when we look closely at Matthew 6:19-21.
“Store up for yourselves.” This is something we must do ourselves. We can’t store up for others. (Luke 12:33) (I Timothy 6:17-19)
“Treasures in heaven” (Matthew 19:29) (Psalm 16:11) These will last forever.
“You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” (Psalm 49:16-17, Proverbs 27:24)
Earthly treasures can’t save. (Psalm 49:6-8)

Conclusion:

Where are we investing: on earth or in heaven? Our earthly treasures will soon be worthless. Are we sending it on ahead?

Bobby Stafford January 19, 2014