“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

—Mt 6:19-21

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

—Mt 25:31-33

But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

—Phil 3:20-21

Johannes Kepler (1571–1630), a German mathematician and astronomer wrote, “The diversity of the phenomena of nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in heavens so rich, precisely in order of the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.”  But how do people respond to such blessings?  Lao Tzu (c. 6^th to 4^th century BC–533 BCE), a Chinese philosopher and writer said, “I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion.  These are your greatest treasures.”  Those are Tzu wishes.

Treasures of Life

Bryant H. McGill (b. 1969), an author wrote, “There are amazingly wonderful people in all walks of life; some familiar to us and others not.  Stretch yourself and really get to know people.  People are in many ways one of our greatest treasures.”  How could Christian believers find such treasures?  Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855), an English novelist and poet said, “The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.”  Bronte saw treasures as profound.

Buddha (563/480 BC–483/400 BC), the founder of Buddhism wrote, “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from pure and peaceful mind.  To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and guidance of virtue.” These prerequisites call for personal responses.  Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–1991), a Polish-born Jewish writer said, “For those who are willing to make an effort, great miracles and wonderful treasures are in store.”  Such treasures come to those who make the effort to succeed.