Welcome to a new month and a new word for our Good Word Project team! We’re excited to dive into the word TREASURE for the next four weeks.

When you visualize treasure, what do you see?

For me, I think of hidden treasure; something of great value tucked out of plain sight. It’s hidden by its owner because he understands its uniqueness and realizes that others will want it too.

I think of people who find the hidden treasure at the end of a rainbow, sunken to the depths of the ocean in an old ship, or in the exact spot marked by a bold “X” on an aged map. Somehow, the treasure is always overflowing, gleaming and sparkling, and more than what was ever imagined.

A similar pattern is found in a parable in the Bible in Matthew 13:44.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

In this Chapter, Jesus is talking in a series of parables, explaining the kingdom of heaven. In this particular verse, He’s saying a few things. First, we don’t know everything about heaven. Some things are meant to be hidden in this lifetime, keeping the sweet anticipation alive until the day we get there and finally realize its perfection. I believe it keeps us longing for it, because we can’t even fathom that perfection or fulfillment here on earth (as much as we may try.) That anticipation keeps us hopeful, and God, in His loving kindness, gives us glimpses of heaven to sustain that longing.

So, as the parable continues, a man found it and hid it again only because he realized how wonderful it was — SO much so, that he rushed away to sell everything he had to buy the land, so he could have the treasure. And note, he did this joyfully. The man realized that everything he valued was actually nothing in comparison to this treasure he found. He knew he was getting the deal of his lifetime, so he was thrilled to trade in all that he once treasured for this far better fortune.

And so it is with us and heaven…

I think about what I value on this earth and in my lifetime. There are definitely things I treasure – things that bring me comfort, peace and convenience; things that make me look and feel good; things that entertain me, protect me and sustain me.

What are these things for you?

What would it take for you to sell it ALL? It would have to be absolutely phenomenal, wouldn’t it?

The Bible tells us over and over that heaven is exactly that…

• It’s paradise. (Luke 23:43)
• No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
• There will be no crying, no death, no mourning and no pain. (Revelation 21:4)
• You will not be put to shame. (Romans 10:11)
• God has prepared it for us. (Hebrews 11:16)
• God will dwell with us. (Revelation 21:3)
• He will make all things new. (Revelation 21:5)
• There will be perfect peace. (Isaiah 65:25)
• As children of God, it is our home. (John 14:2)
• There will be no sin. (Isaiah 35:8-9)

Essentially, the perfect place that God had created and intended for mankind in the Garden of Eden will be what we get to experience in heaven. For eternity. Nothing we can imagine or dream of could even come close to comparing.

Would you be willing to lose, sell or trade everything to gain what this glorious place promises? It will be more than “everything” as we know it. And, here’s the best part: he doesn’t ask us to sell all that we have in this life to gain access to heaven. What he asks is that we acknowledge our need for a Savior and believe his Son, Jesus is that very Savior, who died on the cross as a payment for our sins. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8) We can’t experience the glory of heaven without Jesus. In fact, He is the very gate to it. (John 10:9) If we want to speak in treasure map terms, Jesus is the “X.” He marks the spot to the treasure.

If only we believe and follow His way, treasure awaits. Heaven will welcome us home.

Do you want the treasures of heaven? Have you placed your faith in Jesus? If so, will you commit to shift your focus more toward storing your treasures in heaven? (Matthew 16:19-20) If you have never accepted Jesus into your heart, will you pray this prayer?

Lord, God, thank you for your Son, Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to die on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins. Thank you for resurrecting Him three days later to claim victory over everything. I need a Savior, because I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes and bad choices, and I’m sorry. I want to follow Jesus. I want to know, trust and have a relationship with Him, so He can point me to the best life on earth and to treasures in heaven. I want to live in eternity with you, and I acknowledge that Jesus is the Way. Thank you for the truth of the Bible that tells me I can have confidence in these words, and thank you for being a loving, grace-filled God who wants treasures for me. Amen.