Under Your Nose

READ: PSALM 119:14; PROVERBS 2:1-5; JAMES 1:5-11

Have you ever cleaned out an attic in search of treasure? Like an old baseball card that could be worth a lot of money, found in a dusty old box. Or maybe a precious painting worth millions of dollars under a cobwebby tarp. Or maybe a sentimental letter from a long-gone relative tucked away in a faded envelope. You never know what treasures you might find right under your nose.

But while dusty, valuable treasure is fun to find, all wealth eventually fades. Money and accomplishments are incredibly fleeting and can often puff us up with pride.

By contrast, the riches of God’s Word are worth far more than money. They contain the greatest treasure—right under our noses.

And what is that treasure? The love of God. The hope of Jesus—and all He’s done and promises to do. The seduction of greed and power pales in comparison to life with Jesus. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, everyone who puts their trust in Him is restored to relationship with God. And we have the promise of forever life on the new heavens and earth, where we will be free to love God and others as He intended us to. Even as we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, we find true community in Jesus’s family and true purpose in following Him and having meaningful work to do here and now.

The good news of Jesus is true riches—riches that will never fade and can never be taken away, even in an uncertain and ever-changing world. And God is pleased to give this treasure to us (Luke 12:32). So what are you waiting for? Go on a treasure hunt for Jesus’s promises today! • A. W. Smith

• What would be your dream treasure to find in a dusty old attic?

• What are some of your most treasured promises from Jesus? How can remembering these treasures help us avoid the seduction of greed and power?

• Paul often wrote about the riches of the mystery of Jesus. If you want to dig deeper, read: Romans 11:33; 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 15:51; Ephesians 1:9; 3:2-9; 6:19; Colossians 1:24-29; 2:2; 4:3; 1 Timothy 3:16.

This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Colossians 1:26-27 (NLT)