Where Your Treasure Is: Discovering the True Value of What You Hold Dear

Watch Sermon "Where Your Treasure Is" now on YouTube

Watch Sermon "Where Your Treasure Is" now on YouTube

I’ve always had an affinity for treasure. In fact, one of my earliest memories is from Halloween in 1984, dressed as a pirate at just three years old. The fascination stuck with me over the years — so much so that when I proposed to my now wife Eve, I used a hand-drawn treasure map. On the bottom left corner, I scribbled a quote from Captain Jack Sparrow: “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.” It was a playful nod, but there’s profound truth in that statement.

This sermon was inspired by my recent study of the Gospels and reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. In it, Tozer writes:

“The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight.”

True Treasure is Inward and Eternal

Measure What Matters

Jesus challenges us to evaluate what we treasure in Matthew 6:19-22 (CSB):

19 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”

In Jesus’ time, wealth was measured in tangible items like clothing, grain, and precious metals. But these earthly treasures were temporary. Moths would eat through garments, rust would corrode metal, and thieves could dig through mud-brick homes to steal valuables. Today, our “treasures” might look like money, possessions, social status, or even our appearance. While Jesus wasn’t condemning the act of having nice things, He warned against living for them.

Instead, we are called to invest in heavenly treasures: closeness to God, generosity, Christ-like character, and leading others to Jesus. Our time, money, and energy are like a treasure map, revealing what we value most. Where does your map lead? More importantly, where would it lead others?

Treasure the Eternal

Children often see things with convicting clarity. My son Levi once drew a picture at school, proudly showing that his church family was worth more to him than gold. It made me pause. Do I treasure the eternal the same way?

Jesus illustrates this truth in Matthew 13:44-46 (CSB):

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.”

These parables show two different types of seekers. The man who stumbled upon treasure in the field wasn’t even looking for it. Yet, when he found it, he recognized its incomparable worth and joyfully surrendered everything to obtain it. The merchant, on the other hand, was actively searching for valuable pearls. When he discovered the one of immeasurable worth, he willingly gave up all he had.

I think back to my college years when I was desperately searching for purpose. That search led me to God. Once I experienced the true treasure of a relationship with Him, no worldly possession could compare. What treasure are you holding onto that may be keeping you from fully embracing what God offers?

The Perspective Shift

Jesus concludes with a striking metaphor about our focus:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22)

Our “eye” represents our perspective. A “healthy” eye, in the Greek language, implies clarity, sincerity, and generosity. When our focus is on God, our entire life is illuminated with purpose and direction. But if our perspective is clouded by materialism, selfishness, or envy, we walk in darkness.

Danny and Tracy, mentors of mine, lived by a powerful phrase: “If it’s just you, me, and God in a cardboard box, we’re good.” They understood that true treasure isn’t found in earthly comforts but in the unshakable security of God’s presence.

Communion: Recognizing Jesus’ Treasure

As we prepare for communion, let’s shift our focus from what we treasure to what Jesus treasures. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (CSB) reminds us:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”

Jesus gave up everything for us. We are His treasure. Through His sacrifice, He demonstrated the immeasurable value He places on our souls.

So, what is your greatest treasure? And more importantly, how will you live knowing that to Jesus, you are priceless?

True Treasure is Inward and Eternal.