Eternal Treasure

In the early beginnings of America, word quickly spread about the discovery of gold in California.
People from the Eastern U.S. frantically sold their possessions and left homes, lands, and family in search of California’s gold. During the gold rush era, people endured hardships and danger traveling across the country in a meager wagon. Many who actually survived the rough journey were often met with disappointment and left penniless, finding no gold at all. What zeal these pioneers had for a dream of finding gold.
In Matthew 13:45, 46, the Bible says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” The kingdom of heaven is finding God, the eternal treasure. God’s law is better than thousands of gold and silver. (Psalms 119:72).
During the dark ages, Papal Rome persecuted and killed anyone who did not agree with their doctrines or decrees. Among those persecuted were the Waldenses. They regarded God’s word and their allegiance to Him dearer than life itself. They hid in caves memorizing chapters of Scriptures because copies of the Bible were so rare. Their daily life was one of self denial and hardship. Yet, they taught their children to love and honor God, and to be thankful for the mountain asylum God had provided. The Bible truth is invaluable and precious.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves breakthrough and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19, 20).
God has given us the treasure of heaven so freely. The Bible, which people have sacrificed their lives for, is easily within our grasp. Let us all take the opportunity in this new year, to read its pages, meditate on its words, and come closer to the Author and Redeemer of its sacred passages.
Cynthia Ly Lan Nguyen