SHARE Magazine July 2016 | Page 20

L Lately, God has been putting the word “treasure” on my heart. So, I went digging because I always passionately try to understand everything, especially people and their behavior. I have realized that once I become friendly with someone, I will tease them, engage in banter, and push them to the limit, in order to perceive from their different reactions what really lies deep within them.This, as you can imagine, can sometimes backfire. treasure? So, I wanted to fully understand treasure in order to understand God more. What do you My objective therefore was: • To understand what God sees as treasure? • To investigate what we treasure? • To investigate what we should treasure? WHAT DOES GOD TREASURE? by Dorian Slack As Moses went up to meet God, God called down to him from the mountain: “Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you’re special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.’ “This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel.”Exodus 19:3-6 (The message Bible) 20 | SHARE|MAGAZINE God has specially chosen us out of the world before we were even born for a time such as this, and therefore He treasures us. July - September 2016 WHAT DO WE TREASURE? Most Christians would answer by saying, ‘I treasure entering the Kingdom of God.’ One day Jesus met a rich, young ruler and was very impressed with him. “As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?’ Jesus said, ‘Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honour your father and mother.’ He said, ‘Teacher, I have— from my youth—kept them all!’ Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, ‘There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.’ The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go” (Mark 10: 1722 TMB). Mark, the apostle, also recorded that “Jesus looked on him and loved him.” This man could have become one of the first leaders of the early Church. But although Jesus perceived him to be obviously diligent and spiritual, He knew that something in his heart was hindering him. Because the Lord knew what he treasured most, He told him to give all his possessions to the poor. But he turned and walked away sadly. What we treasure is where our heart is, and what we worship is where our highest value lies. God alone must be FIRST. He will never be second to anything or anyone in