Treasures in Heaven

Actual hidden treasure may exist on Oak Island (off the western shore of Nova Scotia, Canada). In 1795, three boys believed they would find rumored treasure left by pirates and spent a day digging on Oak Island before ending their search. Though they found no real treasure, what they did discover soon became the talk of the town. The “money pit” as it is now called seems specially engineered to prevent careless searches from being able to reach its contents. Many attempts have been made to exhume it but all have resulted in failure.

True believers think that great treasure may be in the money pit. Some even suggest that it may hold the Ark of the Covenant. Many others are unconvinced that it holds anything of value. For now, the government of Canada seems content to suspend any real excavation attempt and leave the site as a tourist attraction. One thing we can know for sure is this: nothing in the money pit (or anywhere else on Earth) is able to be compared to treasures in heaven.

Jesus compares earthly treasures to heavenly treasures in Matthew 6:19-20, and He notes that heavenly treasures are exempt from rust, corruptions, and decay. Everything on this earth breaks down. Gold and silver tarnish; expensive paintings and works of art fade; electronics become obsolete, and most things of value depreciate.

While such loss is a painful reality of this world, Christians are promised treasures that are incorruptible, undefiled, and that will not fade away (1 Peter 1:4). What God promises is truly precious. While most would consider gold and silver to be “precious metals,” Peter calls silver and gold “corruptible things” (1 Peter 1:18). In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul uses the same keyword (fthartos) to describe the leafy crowns that athletes would receive. These are portrayed as far less glorious that ones Christians strive to gain. Standing opposite to silver and gold is the “precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19) Only this gives true treasure!