Real Treasure
Proverbs 15: 6 “The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.”
There is a great deception in our understanding of wealth. Wealth, we immediately see the dollar signs. We see a nice home filled with all we can ask or want, good cars, stable jobs. So we tend to measure our success in life with this definition of wealth.
Then of course, there is the word treasure, something to be valued, something of great worth. We think of diamonds, jewels, very valuable trinkets in our collections. When our son was little, he treasured his collection of basketball cards. The players on these cards made this piece of paper valuable. Isn’t it strange what we value? Oh sure I have a collection of beautiful tea cups. I enjoy them, but don’t set my life on them. Would my life change if those were taken away?? I hope not.
When we look at this verse, we are sure that God has something totally different in His approach for treasures, than physical wealth or collective items. Why do I think that? If the house of the righteous contains great treasure, then that would mean there are no wicked people with great wealth. We know that is not true. Actually some of the most wicked men (by human understanding) have the most wealth.
So we must know that God has great treasure only the righteous have. I think of the woman in the book of Luke, when she lost her coin. She searched, she tore the house apart to find it. After she found it, she was dancing. Everyone was rejoicing with her. But remember, that story was a parable that Jesus gave, and we understand this coin was an example of a lost soul. It is easy to forget that the most precious treasure we can have is bringing others to the Lord.
Just recently, I had a wonderful experience. One of our workers wasn’t a christian. He was very nice. Easy going, very compassionate, but just didn’t have the Lord at the root of this niceness Often I would encourage him to give his life the Lord. He always replied, “I will, I promise”. I always reminded him that we have no promise for tomorrow. So one day, I looked at him, and said “It will be a happier time in heaven if I know you are there too.” Then 2 weeks ago, we were all in Mayette and were having a conference at church. The last night the speaker gave an invitation (not for those to be saved) for all who wanted God’s power to go out and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The altar was filled with people. But the most precious person was Enock. He came and pulled on my arm, and said, “Come on Barb, let’s go pray!!” I was not expecting that at that moment. He had come to the services to learn more English, as the speaker was American and Patrick was translating. God had another purpose for him being in the service. After the service he was laughing and said “Ohhhh, I feel Jesus all through my heart.” What a treasure. His house has treasure now, as well.
That is real treasure!! Yes, the house of God has treasures. Start a new collection of new souls for God’s kingdom. Those treasures cannot be stolen, rusted out, or taken away. They are God’s forever and you will have them through eternity.
Richly.
Barb
