Desiring the Greatest Treasure

Recently something spurred my thoughts to a classic movie I recall from childhood. The movie, though probably lesser known than some, made a lasting impression upon me and painted images that I can still envision through the closed eyes of my imagination. It is entitled “It Grows on Trees,” staring Irene Dunn, circa 1952. As I recall (forgive me if I confuse some of the plot as it has been a few years since I have seen it) Irene Dunn purchases two trees to plant in the backyard. She becomes very excited when she notices the trees are budding potential blossoms. One morning while performing her household duties, she notices a $5 bill floating through the kitchen window. In grateful amazement she retrieves the bill thankfully and saves it in the kitchen cookie jar to aid with the family’s recent financial crisis. 

The plot thickens as more bills are retrieved, and the realization that these bills are originating from the trees planted in the backyard.  Comedic turns ensue as the local bank, IRS, her husband, and the town get involved in what is a very entertaining story. Eventually the trees become sick and the bills begin to wither; not only the ones on the trees but the ones she has deposited in her cookie jar, the bank, and at local department stores.  

Often, I have thought, wouldn’t it be nice to have a money tree?  But even with a gift as valuable as a “Money Tree” there are always draw backs. In the movie there is disagreement among the family regarding how they should use the money? Is it counterfeit? Is it ethical to use it? It ends up being more of a headache than just dealing with the family’s financial woes. 

Promised quick fixes, free gifts, and monetary gain often add to our stresses rather than relieve them.  Clinging to earthly trappings that look green with abundance and completeness, end up as withered leaves proving deficient and empty. The treasures we think we desire rarely pay dividends worthy of their propaganda. 

God’s Word says it best. 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] 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, ESV)

The greatest gift, the supreme treasure lies at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ. By receiving His gift of salvation, we are given something of greater value that will never wither, decay, or rust away. As we submit our lives to His divine providence His workings in us prove most precious, the highest treasure of all. 

As we continue in our Advent celebration and look toward Christmas may we seek the most extravagant gift this season – JESUS CHRIST!  A gift we cannot earn, merely receive it gratefully. Augustus Toplady says it best in the second stanza of “Rock of Ages.”

Not the labors of my hands, can fulfill Thy law’s demands; These for sin could not atone; Thou must save and Thou alone: In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.

Seek the greatest treasure!  Merry Christmas!

Pastor Keith

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FOCUSED

One of the casualties of aging to which I find myself a victim is the dimming of the eyes.  Ecclesiastes 12 counsels the young person to remember God, their Creator, in their youth before the aging process takes over and various faculties, as listed in verses 1-7, are diminished.

Clear eyesight when we are young may be something we take for granted. However, as we age the realization that our vision is not as sharp as it once was takes hold. “Readers” become standard fare for all intricate tasks. Our once keen laser sharp focus is now blurry and in need of help to restore its youthfulness. That restoration is found through glasses or some sort of rejuvenating surgery. Especially in the early stages of this degenerative eye problem we may be able to fake it and get by, but eventually we must relent and do something to correct the problem.

There is a parallel between physical and spiritual vision. “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” was written in the early 20th century. The hymn writer, Helen Lemmel, was strongly influenced by the artist and later little-known missionary, Lilias Trotter. Miss Trotter started off as an aspiring artist but early on felt a call from God to reach the lost. She began her ministry by rescuing prostitutes from the streets of London. Later she went to Africa, without missionary funding, and served for over forty years. While there she penned a poem that would greatly influence the writing of the hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”  The poem was entitled “Focused: A Story and Song.” 

The poem centers around focusing one’s attentions fully and completely upon God. She writes that Satan knows that if a person uses all their powers of concentration on being led by God’s Spirit, they will have a great intensity and impact upon those to whom they are called to minister. Lilias Trotter, writing in a more formal use of the English language than we are accustomed, shares some timeless insights which could very easily have been written today but with a different accent. She writes: “Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once—art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the ‘good’ hiding the ‘best’ even more effectually than it could be hidden downright frivolity with its smothered heartache at its own emptiness.”

The “good” hiding the “best” leads us to emptiness.  Could this be true of us today especially as American Christians? Have we sought the “good” while missing the “best”? The chorus of the hymn, which we will be singing in worship this Sunday, says it best.

                Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,                                                                                                                                        And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Keith Pate

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