FIRST GLIMPSE

Unexpected Treasure

Matthew 6:2-3, 19-24

On hands and knees, she followed the beckoning trail of scattered pennies across the hotel room floor until it disappeared under the bedskirt. Amused by her childish excitement, I quipped, “Why don’t you look under the bed. Maybe you will find a treasure.”

Imagine my surprise when my 12-year-old daughter—eyes like saucers—pulled out a bulging wallet! Stuffed with $20s and $50s, an old bus ticket, and no identification, the faded leather held a treasure indeed. As I thumbed through the stack of bills, I could almost see dollar signs reflected in my daughter’s sparkling blue eyes. I steeled myself for the inevitable question, “Can I keep it?”

But when the question came, it was not what I expected. “Daddy, shouldn’t we give this money to the hotel?”

I simply stared—shocked speechless. Finally, I stammered, “Wha-at?” just to be sure that I had heard her correctly.

“Don’t you think we should give this money to the hotel? I’m sure somebody is looking for it. Maybe they are on vacation like us, and I don’t want them to get stranded in Utah.”

It was a proud moment. At age 12, my daughter has already learned that doing the right thing is more important than money. Sadly, many adults never learn this (or have forgotten). As a result, our culture is littered with cash casualties—marriages split by arguments over money, exhausted workaholics who dedicate every waking moment to getting ahead, and countless millions obsessed by the endless search for temporary “treasures” of this world.

It’s not a new problem. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His followers a great deal about money, sharing revolutionary principles that run counter to the he-who-dies-with-the-most-toys-wins mindset of a material-mad world.

The principles are straightforward and simple. Give to those in need faithfully and quietly, and God will reward you (verses 2-4). Make financial decisions with eternity in mind (verses 19-23). Understand that financial priorities are a spiritual matter (verse 21). Stop worrying about necessities since God has promised to take care of you, demonstrating His faithfulness time and again (verses 25-34).

In verse 24, Jesus reached the crux of the issue—the bottom line if you will. No man can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money. While this is true of financial matters, it is also true in every other area of life. God must be the sole focus of life’s “treasure hunt.” We fool ourselves to think any temporary, fleeting possession in this life will bring happiness. Ultimate fulfillment is found only in God and full surrender to His leading.

By the way, the hotel called to let us know an elderly dairy farmer claimed the wallet. Maybe he will name a cow after my daughter.

About the Writer: Eric K. Thomsen is managing editor of ONE Magazine. Contact him at eric@nafwb.org.