Would you like to go on a treasure hunt this weekend? Imagine finding an ancient map that promised something valuable where an “X” marked the spot. That sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Well, if you’re into mysteries and maps, maybe you could start doing some research on these lost treasures. You’ll have to determine if they are fact or fiction, though, before trekking across the globe.
The Copper Scroll Treasures. Most Christians are familiar with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Typically, they are thought to be only pieces of Scripture. However, at least one scroll designated as “3Q15” has more treasure than the treasure of Scripture. Written on a copper scroll with words that stump even modern scholars, the scroll gives names and locations where, if a person can decipher the words, they will find 160 tons of gold and silver distributed over 63 locations.
The Knights Templar Treasure. In 1307, King Philip IV tried to disband the Knights, absorbing their great wealth into the coffers of France. The Knights allegedly escaped Paris with their treasures hidden in wagons and carts. Where the wealth was taken is a mystery but if someone finds it, they are sure to find a treasure trove.
The Lost City of Paititi. During the Spanish Conquest of the 16th c., the Incas in Peru escaped to a hidden city in the Peruvian Andes. Allegedly, they had great wealth that was kept from the Spaniards. Through the centuries, explorers have tried to locate Paititi, only to be greeted by hostile Amazonian and native tribes that are unwelcoming to outsiders. Many have presumably died trying to find this city, never to return to their families.
Blackbeard’s Treasure. Children’s storybooks, television, and movies have dramatized the infamous pirate, Blackbeard. “After nearly two years of plundering vessels in the West Indies, Blackbeard’s ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, ran into a sandbar off North Carolina in June 1718. From there, it’s believed he transferred his valuables to other boats, leaving little sign of his haul when he was killed a few months later by a British Royal Navy force. Although Queen Anne’s Revenge was discovered in 1996, it seems the whereabouts of its captain’s big prize became a massive mystery to all except, as Blackbeard once eloquently put it, the legendary pirate himself and the devil.”1
While it’s fun to think hunting for these treasures while letting our imaginations run wild, many have lost fortunes attempting to find them. They’ve invested thousands of dollars as well as thousands of hours searching for the elusive treasures, unable to prove if they actually exist, while sacrificing the things that do exist on the altar of adventure and avarice.
Sadly, the majority of humanity ignores three of the most important treasures ever given to mankind. The treasures are readily available. They are not hidden but are, instead, right before our eyes. The first treasure is the one we talked about in yesterday’s devotional: salvation.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
Earlier in the chapter, Paul said that Satan hides this treasure from people in order to keep them from being saved. As Christians, we get to blow Satan’s plan by declaring that we have found salvation and that others can, too.
Another treasure is found in God as we walk the Christian life. Colossians 2:1-3 says, “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (3) In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Finally, another treasure that can be ours is the teachings of wisdom and knowledge from the Word of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 says, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (2) So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; (3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; (4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as 
for hid treasures; (5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”
Reading God’s Word every day is the same as going on a treasure hunt. We don’t know what we will find. We are just told where to look – in the Bible. We must avail ourselves to the search and when we do, we come away richer with God’s gems in our possession.
Christians are the wealthiest people in the world. We will never make a Forbes Fortune 500 list or sit at a table with Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, or Warren Buffet. But why would we want to? What would we gain? We already have more wealth than they do!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings (could we say riches?) in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)
1https://interestingfacts.com/hidden-treasures/
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