Our Precious Treasure

Nightlights give children a little security against the deep dark unknown. We adults tend to count sheep
so that eventually our brains will turn off and we’ll nod off to sleep. We carry insurance policies just in
case of an accident or some catastrophe occurs. We worry about the unknowns in life. We toss and
turn because of anxious thoughts. Our minds can jump to horrendous, unjustified conclusions in a
heartbeat.

Once, one of the children had gone out with friends and the hour grew late. Mom and Dad worried and
fretted, imagining worse case scenarios from muggings to murder to mayhem on the highway. Finally,
once the child returned home safe and sound, the folks sighed with relief and trudged off to bed. There
are any number of things we worry about, like finances, our children’s futures, our inadequate
resources, health issues, problems in the family, work related grievances. The list goes on and on.
Jesus had told a story about a Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21) who had fared well and desired to store his
goods in bigger barns, but the Lord called him to his eternal rest that night. The rich but dead man
would not get to keep any of his stuff and he was judged guilty of not being rich toward God but only
concerned for himself and his earthly possessions.

Jesus teaches us to trust in God’s provision, especially the gift of His Son, our precious treasure. If
anyone knew deprivations, it was Jesus, yet He never stopped loving and trusting in His Father, knowing
His sacrifice would save humanity, if they would only believe and not be anxious. He has them consider
the birds, actually, unclean scavenger birds like ravens. “They neither sow nor reap, they have neither
storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (Luke
12:24). Again, he has them “consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil or spin, yet I tell you,
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Luke 12:27). Although these beautiful
flowers are here today and gone tomorrow, “how much more will the Lord clothe you, O you of little
faith!” (v. 28).

The unbelieving world worries and frets, scratches and claws for earthly goods, without a care or
concern about the Lord who makes, controls, and provides for all humankind’s needs, if only they would
acknowledge it. “Instead, seek His kingdom” of grace and mercy in Christ Jesus, “and these things will
be added to you,” Jesus assures us (Luke 12:31). The Lord provides for our bodily needs, but more
importantly, He gives us His most precious treasure, His Son, who assures us, “For it is your Father’s
good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). His grace and mercy attend to all our needs.

Our Lord is well disposed to providing us with the best. First, He gives Himself for our salvation. Second,
by Christ’s death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven. Third, He calls us to faith by the Gospel of His
grace. Fourth, His abiding presence and peace dispels our anxieties and worries. Fifth, He assures us
that instead of hording goods for ourselves we should “sell your possessions, and give to the needy,”
just as He did and does for us, by giving up His perfect life in our stead and rising to life again for our
justification and pardon. Sixth, He advises us now to “provide yourselves with moneybags that do not
grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth
destroys” (Luke 12:33). The treasures of His kingdom are given us in His means of grace, the Gospel and
Sacraments. And Seventh, Jesus assures us that we need not be anxious. The Lord knows our needs and
will provide for us. Jesus reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke
12:34). We are recipients of Christ and His gifts of grace. He is our most precious treasure.