Desiring to Cling to Jesus as My Priceless Treasure

Are you concerned by the direction our world is going? I confess to my worry and concern. I ask this question because in my daily devotions last week I read from Deuteronomy 31, where the Lord told Moses, “For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. (Deuteronomy 31:20) God foresaw that the Israelites would be distracted from following Him when they found prosperity and wealth in The Promised Land. Their possessions would turn them from the Lord. They would even despise the Lord and break His covenant, because of their desire for their possessions.

This got me to thinking of our own culture. The western world, our own country as well, has grown in prosperity so much that many see wealth as a right rather than as a blessing, rather than as a tool to serve the Lord and spread His kingdom. We may not necessarily feel we are well off compared to others in our own culture. However, compared to many in the world we are rich. So, are we like the Israelites? Does our love for our possessions turn us from the Lord?

The assigned Gospel Lesson for worship this Sunday, May 5, comes from John 15. Jesus will teach His disciples, 12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” Our earthly possessions are gifts from God. But, His greatest gift to us is love! Jesus loved and laid down His life for His friends, for us, and even for His enemies who despise Him. The eternal love of God, and the life which His love brings, are more valuable than temporal things of this world.

Jesus warned, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) I am not sure that the people of our time, nor even those of Moses’ time, understood these warnings of love from our Lord. It is wise to cling to God who brings love and life, rather than clinging to possessions which will only distract us from our Lord’s love and which will pass away.

I mentioned this topic to a friend this past week and he said, “Watch out! What about all those fishing poles you have?” Like the world around me, I also am in danger of going astray by chasing the things of this life, possessions which fade. I personally do not want to love my possessions so that I despise the one who laid down His life for me. My heart longs to love God and to use the possessions He has given that I may serve Him. But . . . how am I doing?

Do you remember the old German hymn, “Jesus Priceless Treasure”?

1 Jesus, priceless treasure, Fount of purest pleasure,

Truest friend to me,

Ah, how long in anguish Shall my spirit languish,

Yearning, Lord, for Thee?

Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!

I will suffer naught to hide Thee; Naught I ask beside Thee.

4 Hence, all earthly treasure! Jesus is my pleasure,

Jesus is my choice.

Hence, all empty glory! Naught to me thy story

Told with tempting voice.

Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,

Shall not from my Savior move me, Since He deigns to love me.

(Lutheran Service Book, 743)

I pray that my heart sees my Lord as my greatest treasure, rather than the things of this world. I pray such clear vision and faith for you as well.