Definitions of treasure

Treasure is typically understood as wealth or riches, especially in the form of precious metals, money or jewels.  It can be deposited in banks or maybe hidden, buried or stored in a secret place but the idea is that it is laid up as provision for the future. 

People search for buried treasure because they dream of becoming wealthy.  But, with all the riches and possessions that money could buy, would they bring joy and lasting satisfaction?

The riches of the world are vanity

Solomon was extremely wealthy and had anything that his eyes desired.

• Ecc 2:8-10 KJV  I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.  (9)  So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.  (10)  And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

He even had seven hundred wives.

• 1Ki 11:3 KJV  And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

But with all that treasure and anything his heart desired, this was his conclusion:

• Ecc 2:11 KJV  Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Solomon set himself the goal of understanding what was good (and folly or bad) for men, what they should do all the days of their lives.

• Ecc 2:3 KJV  I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

He built houses, vineyards, orchards, and watering systems and had great wealth, servants, musicians, and singers, and he partook of all that his eyes desired so he could learn what is good and folly for a man’s life.  He still had wisdom, so he discovered the vanity of material riches.  He learned that the more you have the more you want, and it still does not satisfy. He wisely concluded that having more than you need serves no purpose, other than to simply look at your possessions. 

• Ecc 5:10-11 KJV  He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.  (11)  When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

How sad it is that people either don’t know or simply ignore what Solomon discovered about wealth and all it can buy, that it all amounts to vanity and vexation of spirit.  

The natural man, even if he or she doesn’t admit or realise it, is driven by envy and covetousness, always comparing and wanting to “do better” than those around them, or at least trying to make sure they “keep up with the Joneses”.   They engage in what is known as conspicuous consumption, living beyond their means to give the impression of wealth by the clothes they wear, restaurants they eat at, cars they drive, places they go for holiday, social circle  etc..  Yet this never brings happiness.  In fact, it is vanity and vexation of spirit.   

The more money people have, the higher up the social ladder they climb and, as envy does it’s work, they observe, compare and desire yet more expensive lifestyles. This spirit of lust and envy is not a new phenomenon of modern society, but one which scripture makes clear. 

• Jas 4:5 KJV  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

The reality is not that you win more and better friends because you have more money.  In fact, even if you worked hard for it, so-called friends and neighbours don’t admire you, but rather, they feel envy towards you.

• Ecc 4:4 KJV  Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

There is no end to the vain “things” that a man can desire in this life.  But even if he were a billionaire, with every imaginable possession and increasing in riches, would that make him a better man?  Of course not.

• Ecc 6:11 KJV  Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
• Psa 73:12 KJV  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

But what is life? Is it defined by the abundance of possessions, or should we take heed of Christ’s warning concerning covetousness?

• Luk 12:15 KJV  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing with us when we die.

• 1Ti 6:7 KJV  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Moreover, surely, we don’t want to be like the rich man in Christ’s parable, who had amassed a fortune and had no care for God? 

• Luk 12:19-21 KJV  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Real treasure in this age of grace

Enough said, about the vanity of pursuing wealth and material possessions.  We learn from the Bible, that the lust of the eyes and pride of life are not from God, but are of the world; that is a truth throughout all dispensations.

• 1Jn 2:16 KJV  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Even today, saved and sealed members of Christ’s body still live in a physical body of flesh, while here on the earth, and we’re surrounded by every imaginable worldly distraction and temptation.  We are relentlessly bombarded with advertisements that promote the lie that abundance of possessions brings happiness and satisfaction in life.  We are taught, from an early age, to study hard to gain knowledge so we can get a good job and earn enough money to have a comfortable and secure life.  But even believers can be susceptible to covetousness and the pursuit of the world’s idea of what a comfortable and secure life looks like.  Fuelled by envy, greed, and pride, we can strive for the vain things of the world, learning and becoming wise in how satisfy our earthly, sensual desires.  But this is not from God; rather:

• Jas 3:15 KJV  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

The testimonies of God, contained in his Word, is where real treasure is hidden, and  to be discovered.  But we only find it if we choose to incline our hearts in that direction, rather than wasting precious time feasting our eyes on vain and empty “things” that we covet for our flesh.  This prayer of David is just as appropriate for us:

• Psa 119:36-37 KJV  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. (37)  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Our position in Christ means that we have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts.

• Gal 5:24 KJV  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Because we are crucified with Christ, we are also raised in newness of life and should set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

• Col 3:1-2 KJV  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

But where can we look to understand things above? We should seek it out as a hidden treasure of knowledge and wisdom from God.

• Pro 2:3-6 KJV  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;  (4)  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;  (5)  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.  (6)  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

In fact, it is in Christ that are hid, not just some, but all, the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Paul prayed for the churches at Colossae and Laodicea:

• Col 2:2-3 KJV  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;  (3)  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

How to uncover unsearchable riches

Unlike treasure hunters who don’t know where to look, and who are in competition to be the sole owner of a mere earthly treasure, we are given the location and tools with which to uncover and preach the unsearchable riches of Christ!

If we want to be made perfect in life and fully equipped to serve God, as his ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation, then all scripture is profitable.

• 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The risen Christ returned and revealed to the Apostle Paul the mystery of the cross, the gospel of our salvation; and it is by rightly dividing the word of truth that we find this treasure in the Pauline epistles.

• 2Ti 2:15 KJV  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The gospel of the grace of God was not previously known by any man; Paul was not taught it by any man but by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:11-12 KJV  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all who will believe it.  Now, that’s real, precious, and incorruptible, treasure!

• Rom 1:16 KJV  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

By trusting in the gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, a person is sealed by that holy Spirit of promise.

• Eph 1:13 KJV  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.

That same holy Spirit places the believer into the body of Christ:

• 1Co 12:13 KJV  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

By trusting in the gospel they are accepted by God, because they’ve been placed into Christ the beloved, and have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins; now that’s real eternal riches, and to the praise of the glory of his grace!!

• Eph 1:6-7 KJV  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  (7)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

The moment we are saved, we have the Spirit of God, that we might know the rich things of God, that he has freely given to us.

• 1Co 2:11-12 KJV  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  (12)  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

We are instructed not to be conformed to this world: but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

• Rom 12:2 KJV  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

In this transformation, we put off the old man, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and learn not to make provision for the flesh.

• Rom 13:14 KJV  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

As we read and study God’s word, rightly divided, we begin to grow in the treasures of knowledge and wisdom. We discover riches upon riches that give us strength, comfort, hope and contentment.  These things are great gain.  Even the suffering we endure for the sake of the gospel is but a light affliction for a moment, and nothing to be compared with the eternal weight of glory which awaits us upon the Lord’s return.

All the riches in the world are nothing compared to the treasures of knowledge and wisdom which are contained in the scriptures.  It is no wonder that Paul prayed for all the churches that they would grow in knowledge.  For the Ephesians, he prayed without ceasing:

• Eph 1:17 KJV  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
• Eph 3:19 KJV  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

The riches of the gospel in earthen vessels

In writing to the Corinthians, Paul described those to whom the gospel was hid, whose minds were blinded by the god of the world, Satan, so they were not able to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.  

• 2Co 4:3-4 KJV  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

He contrasted those lost individuals with those who believe; we who have this treasure of the gospel in our earthen vessels.

• 2Co 4:7 KJV  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are mere vessels of clay, made from the dust of the ground, and to dust we will return. 

• Gen 2:7 KJV  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• Gen 3:19 KJV  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Paul preached Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, now written in God’s word for us to study and believe; that we might also open our mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel; that other vessels of clay might also receive this treasure and gift of eternal life.

God has chosen us, as mere vessels of clay, to be recipients and faithful stewards of such priceless treasure, the gospel of Christ, so that the excellency of the power of the Gospel may be of God, and not of us. 

• 1Co 1:18 KJV  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
• 1Co 1:23-24 KJV  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  (24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
• Rom 1:16 KJV  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Entrusted to boldly share the treasures of the gospel

While the world is blind to the gospel, and vainly pursuing satisfaction and fulfilment on this earth, we who are saved have an eternal treasure in our earthen vessels.  But God would have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

We are his ambassadors and as faithful ministers and stewards of the mysteries, we should study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth, growing in knowledge and wisdom, renewed in the spirit of our minds. 

He has entrusted us with the gospel, to boldly speak the mystery of Christ that others might be saved.    

We earnestly desire to serve God and for our families to be saved yet, as with the Apostle Paul, we can say:

• Rom 7:18-19 KJV  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Despite our weaknesses, God’s word works effectually in us, and will continue to do so, as we study and pray to him.  We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, and he has work for us to do. 

• Eph 2:10 KJV  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

To be throughly furnished unto all good works, we pray that God will incline our hearts unto his word and not to covetousness, that he will turn our eyes and hearts from vanity to Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom.