Treasures
Physical Treasures
Right after September 11, 2001, I found myself packing again—this time to leave Pakistan for possibly four weeks, four months, four years, or forever. We were evacuating to Europe, so I needed to weigh my “treasures”. Having come from North America, I was able to bring 140 pounds of baggage per person—and I most certainly did. Going to Europe, I could only take 20 kilos, 44 pounds. Now, items were measured against need and memories. Bibles, basic clothing, important papers, computer and/or hard disk, and medications must go. Irreplaceable photos are high on the list. Then I packed some sentimental items: the pre-WWII German pepper grinder found in our 25-cent auction box—all the children want to inherit it; the cutlery which was part of my parents’ wedding gift to us; Mark’s carved Brazilian letter opener which the children called the “naked lady.” These are only things, but they have been woven into the special tapestry of my life.
The other things were not as important—some are packed and some are left in the cupboards. I packed the cloth items with mothballs to keep out bugs for a season. I even packed my china so the set is all together. If someone needs to move our things out of the apartment, it will be easier for them. If looters break in, the dishes are less likely to be broken and perhaps one of their wives will be able to enjoy a service for eight minus the one salad plate that I dropped.
Mental Treasures
The mental treasures are easier to carry. Some are stored with laughter and some with tears. Rahmat’s servant heart and gentleness is stored with fondness. His arrest in Canada after September 11th caused us to cry for his pain and his fear and to laugh at the thought that he—a child of God, so gentle—would be mistaken for a terrorist.
Then there’s Nagina who will never grow up, though her body will. She was unable to stand on her own feet. Her view of people normally consisted of their knees. I remember, with tears of joy, her smile as she was seated, with dignity, in a wheelchair for the first time.
There are the joyful faces of beggar children receiving food and the shock of watching them first eat the inside of the banana peel. The pain of the impoverished mother whose only daughter has cancer remains etched in my mind. I remember the tears running down the cheeks of the wife of the South African ambassador and her little homeless Afghan friend when the South Africans were ordered to evacuate.
Could I ever forget Bilal Iman, the smallest of the three surviving quintuplets, who always appeared to be in pain? In my arms, he sobbed after his surgery to repair two hernias, as well as his circumcision. Then there was that look on his face as he focused on the surgeon as if to say, “How dare you do this to me!” The indescribable joy I felt when I realized he was out of pain, eating healthily, and catching up to his siblings. He would live, and he did—the most mischievous of the three.
I carry these precious treasures with me all the time because they are already packed in the recesses of my mind.
Spiritual treasures
I have lived on three continents, in five countries, in over 50 houses since marrying Mark. Only twice did someone else move us—but then I have moved two families while they were out of the country. When it is time to leave for Heaven, I won’t have to sort, throw away, or put things in boxes. I won’t have to pack! I think that is tremendous! There’s nothing to pack because my treasures are already there, in Heaven.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
~Matthew 6:19-21
So, what are my true treasures, the treasures we receive from God?
The Kingdom of God
“Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ~Luke 12:31 & 34
I don’t have to worry about “these things”—food and clothing—God has promised to provide and He has. The real treasure here is the kingdom of God.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 14:17
Even in the midst of trouble and pain, we can have righteousness, peace, and joy—here and now.
Wisdom and Knowledge
“…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” ~Colossians 2:3
Where are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden? Verse 2 reveals the hidden truth is of God, of the Father, and of Christ.
“…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ…”
As we read His word, we gain knowledge and as we become better acquainted with God, we gain more of His wisdom.
The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay…” ~2 Corinthians 4:7a
What treasure is this? Look at verse 6…
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is in us! There is a wee bit of a problem here—how does this light shine out? In Judges 7:16-21 we have the story of Gideon in which the earthen vessels had to be broken. And so, it must be with us—as we are broken, this light shines brightly to others.
Eternal Life
Matthew 19 records the story of the rich young ruler who couldn’t part with his earthly riches for treasures in heaven. Verse 29 tells us what one of those treasures is…
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”
Crowns
As children of the Most High, we are royalty. Royalty wears different crowns for different occasions. Queen Elizabeth wore the Imperial State Crown only on two occasions—the State Opening of Parliament and the return to Buckingham Palace following the coronation ceremony. As the children of God, we also have several crowns.
Crown of righteousness
“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” ~2 Timothy 4:8
Crown of glory
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” ~1 Peter 5:4
Crown of rejoicing
“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” ~1 Thessalonians 2:19
Incorruptible crown
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (crown).” ~1 Corinthians 9:24,25
Crown of life
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” ~James 1:12
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” ~Revelation 2:10
We were recently visiting with a pastor who asked, “What is the first thing you want to do in heaven?” Different people mentioned whom they would like to see or speak with. Yes, there are people I would like to meet but the first thing I want to do is found in Revelation 4. Here is our first glimpse of Heaven, such a beautiful sight. There are twenty-four elders sitting around the throne of God at the crystal sea. They wear white clothing and have crowns of gold. These elders fall down and worship him and cast their crowns before the throne.
I want to be at that crystal sea, to look upon the Lord God Almighty, to bow down and worship Him, and to cast my crowns before him because he is worthy to receive glory and honor and power.
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
Reginald Heber
On this earth I will still have physical, earthly treasures which I enjoy and cherish for the memories they bring me. These will perish with age or be destroyed in the last days. I believe I will retain my mental treasures in glory and be able to share those with friends who helped create them. Most important are my spiritual treasures. Some treasures we receive only because of Christ’s death and resurrection. Others we develop through our actions. Therefore let us pursue wisdom and knowledge so we can have righteousness, peace, and joy in order to be the light that shines in this world.
