Our Treasure

 

Our Treasure

In his classic allegorical work Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan writes about Christian’s journey to the Celestial City. It is a fascinating narrative chronicling the life of a believer. Early in the story, shortly after Christian enters the narrow path through the wicket gate, he comes to a man named Interpreter. Interpreter shows Christian seven different scenes to help prepare him for the journey ahead.

            In one of the rooms that Interpreter shows Christian, two children sit in chairs; their governor has told them that they will get “his best things” at the beginning of the next year. The older child, Passion, is unwilling to wait and pouts until he is given a bag of treasures with which he plays. The other child, whose name is Patience, is mocked by Passion who is busy with his new toys; nonetheless, Patience waits with endurance for his reward. Meanwhile, Passion’s treasures quickly turn to rags.

            Interpreter explains to Christian that Passion is like the people of this world; they must have their treasures now. We see this as we look around, don’t we? It’s the seeking after wealth, fame, acceptance, beauty. It’s measuring success in life by how the world does. It’s looking with envy at our friend’s large and well-decorated home, buying all the latest beauty gadgets to hold age at bay, or frantically pursuing all the options for our children to be exceptionally successful in the eyes of the world. It’s a focus on the here and now – setting our affections, time, and energy on things that won’t last.

            Meanwhile Patience in the story understands that the best is yet to come. He can wait with endurance, even while he sees Passion with all his treasures. Interpreter explains that in the end, Patience will have the treasure that far outweighs Passion’s, and where Passion’s didn’t last, the riches that Patience will receive will last forever. Interpreter says, “He who has his inheritance first, uses it and spends it; but he who has his portion last, has it forever.” In I. Peter 1:4-7, Peter writes of an inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,” and that the knowledge of this future treasure can give us joy in the present, even in suffering.

            We also recognize though that we have been so very blessed even here on the earth, but at the same time, we understand that the blessings we have received are gifts we steward, not things or people in which we seek fulfillment and joy. We hold them loosely, understanding that all we have is ultimately the Lord’s. We see our blessings as they relate to eternity and furthering God’s kingdom rather than how they enhance our own well-being.

            As we steward well that which the Lord has entrusted to us and choose not to run after the things of this world, we “set our mind on things above” (Col. 3:1) and run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1). For we know that our true inheritance is not in this world, but in the next, and that the experience of seeing our Lord will be the greatest treasure of all.

-- Amy O'Rear