Treasure Hunt

The Treasure of Waiting until Last
Joshua 19:1-20:9

"After the leaders finished dividing the land and giving it to the different tribes, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun his land also." (Joshua 19:49)

I was a bit surprised when I read this passage this morning... Joshua was the last one to have his land allotted to him. Joshua... who has a book named after him, who was leading the Israelites all this time. But he waited. And they gave him the town he asked for, where he built up the town and lived... just as the Lord commanded. What a wonderful leader Joshua must've been, more concerned with settling things for all the tribes than worried about having something left for him. And why shouldn't he be? After all, the Lord had already commanded that he should have his share in Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim. Sometimes, even knowing the wonderful plans the Lord has for us, it's hard to wait patiently... yet that is when we will have the treasure of the Lord, when we wait upon Him.

The Treasure in Unearthly Things
Luke 12:32-59

"Don't fear little flock, because your Father wants to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Get for yourselves purses that will not wear out, the treasure in heaven that never runs out, where thieves can't steal and moths can't destroy. Your heart will be where your treasure is." (Luke 12:32-34)

This passage always reminds me of my years in BVS. When money gets tight, you really have to make decisions about what's important to you. You spend money on what you value- whether it's walking instead of riding the bus in order to buy Christmas gifts or not going out to eat in order to have enough for your tithe or donations. And while money is only a symbol, sometimes its given value transfers to those things which you purchase... in a real way, where your treasure is, your heart will be also. And so, the thing we should value the most is the treasure of heaven... though we cannot purchase it. It has been purchased for us, with a price that we could never pay nor repay. The true treasure is in not fearing or worrying about God's provision, but trusting that the God who has given us so much will be faithful in providing what we need and giving us a greater treasure than we can imagine in the promise of heaven.

The Treasure of the Trusted Servant
Luke 12:32-59

"The Lord said, 'Who is the wise and trusted servant that the master trusts to give the other servants their food at the right time? When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed. I tell you the truth, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns.'" (Luke 12:41-44)

Oh Lord, this morning, this is my prayer. I just want to be Your wise and trusted servant. I want to obediently do the work You have set out for me, whatever that may be. Lord, please teach me how to serve You in all I am every day... wherever that may take me in the future, Lord. I trust in You, and hope that I may be trustworthy and faithful always.... so that You may charge me with taking care of things, with doing Your work.