Treasures

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, the Galilean tends to throw gems that slip past us in the modern world, particularly modern America. As a comedian of years back would say, “They plumb evade us.”

Chapter Six, verses 19-21 provide an excellent example. Almost like an ambush, between telling us where and how—then what—to pray, he springs this on us.

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

It’s almost as if he remembered he wanted to say it and make sure he provided it to us lest he forget.

What a statement for us as we set forth to meet another day in our beloved United States.

Where are out treasures?

We need to know that. The Galilean told us so.

Apparently, the TV evangelists, for the most part, hold their private jets, mansions, and costly clothes as their greatest treasures.

Politicians, on the other hand, treasure the power they accumulate over others.

Some of us treasure knowledge. (Guilty.)

Our families. The Galilean has some rather strange things to say about this in other passages.

Our superstitions. This is a “bigee” among homo sapiens. One modern author credits their use as the only method of controlling large multitudes of people. (See: “Politicians,” above.)

Our investment accounts, corporate size, and the square footage of our homes where we rest and purport to worship a man who had no place to lay his head.

Among some, it’s almost impossible to ascertain where their treasures lie. They shift from day to day. One day it’s monetary accumulation. The next day it’s their corporate “brand.” Then comes power. Next day might feature control or self-aggrandizement. Then come bizarre notions oozing forth like dark tar emanating from barren land. These people frighten. They are, far too often, the ones who possess the power to claim and protect their treasures above those of all others.

Sometimes it is easier to know what they don’t treasure than what they do. For some, it danged sure isn’t the care and nurture of “the least of those among us.” And it surely isn’t our planet, which according to almost any mythology, some figure like the Galilean (or his father) provided for our succor and joy.

“… where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”

Why on earth did he have to slip this admonition into the mix? Who knows? It is, nonetheless, a worthwhile passage to contemplate on this day of rest and meditation. Maybe we’ll discover the answer as to the location of our treasure.

Perhaps it won’t be too much of a shock. At any rate, if you truly trust the Galilean, as do so many claim, remember one thing.

He already knows.