Priceless Treasure

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer for Owning Our Fears and Choosing Our Treasure

     Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:32-34 

     Dear Lord Jesus, I’m poised to hear your calming voice and to experience your transforming presence this morning. This Scripture is the perfect vehicle for both. I gladly own my place among your little flock—one of your beloved lambs, no stranger to uncertainty and fear.

    There’s no safer place than to be in your hand and heart, for you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for us. Whether it’s besides still waters, in green pastures or in the presence of our enemies, you are with us and you are for us. We lack nothing we need, because, in our heart of hearts, you are truly all we want.

     So I completely understand why you warn us against setting our hearts on the wrong treasure, when feeling vulnerable and anxious. When threatened, we often look to the wrong things and wrong people for safety, stability, and security. But I’ve lived long enough to see what happens when we choose anything or anyone besides you, as our present treasure and functional savior.

     I have friends who’ve inherited millions and others who’ve inherited the wind; sometimes, they’re the same people. I’ve seen families deeply stressed as they prepare for the reading of a will and then permanently divided over the execution of the same will. I’ve seen windfall profits turned into landfill waste in a matter of months. I’ve seen dads and moms drink away enough money in to have built two orphanages in Haiti, and educated their kids and grandkids for a couple of decades.

     There are all kinds of wear and tear, and thieves and moths that diminish and destroy the temporal riches in which we trust; but nothing, absolutely nothing, threatens the value and glory of your everlasting kingdom.

     Today we reaffirm that you, Lord Jesus, are our priceless treasure and most to be desired portion. Because of you we call God “Abba, Father;” the new heaven and new earth, our home; and the gospel of the kingdom, our way of life. Hallelujah, many times over.

     Lord Jesus, melt our fears with your peace; strengthen our hearts with your grace; and send us forth into kingdom service with your measureless love. As you have been (and remain) compassionate and generous with us, so we choose to be compassionate and generous with the poor. So very Amen we pray, in your sane-making, soul-centering name.