I used to watch a lot of TV when I was a young boy and I especially loved those movies about people looking for buried treasure. There was always this sense that, once the treasure was found, everyone would live happily ever after! But there always seemed to be some obstacle for those seeking the treasure.  Most of the time they encountered people who wanted the treasure just as bad but their hearts were in the wrong place.

In addressing what appeared to be a fairly large crowd, Jesus takes the opportunity to talk about what a real treasure looks like…and it’s not what you think! It has nothing to do with money or possessions. Nothing to do with how you look or the way you speak. It goes beyond race, social status or the level of education you possess. In fact, almost anything you would quantify as a treasure falls short. Jesus makes it clear that anything that can wear out, be stolen or be destroyed isn’t a treasure. His definition of treasure is radical because He is the only one that would fit His own definition of what a real treasure would look like!

What’s more, Jesus seems to indicate that it’s all a heart attitude. And without even asking the condition of the people in the crowd, He makes this bold request: “sell your possessions and give to the poor”. In this way He ties our ability to save up treasures in heaven by giving to others. Like in a lot of the movies I saw where the treasure so sought after turned out to be fake, He knows we will eventually be discouraged or disappointed by what we consider to be real treasure!

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