Ever find anything valuable on your property? We have all heard the stories. I suppose one of the most famous is Jed Clampett who was “shootin’ at some food, when up from the ground came a bubblin’ crude…oil that is, black gold, Texas tea.” It is a nice idea, but if you are like me, you’ve probably never found black gold (or any kind of gold) on your property.
Last year, one California couple found quite a treasure while walking their property. Apparently, they saw something sticking out of the ground and proceeded to dig up several rusty cans. Eight of those cans were, “filled with more than 1,400 rare and perfectly preserved U.S. gold coins dating from 1847 to 1894.” The L.A. Times reported last week that the coins were appraised at greater than $10 million!
This family lives in an area that was popular in the 1850’s during a period known as the “gold rush.” Gold fever led thousands away from home and family to chase “buried treasure” out west. The iconic cry became, “thar’s gold in them thar hills!” The sad reality is that few ever found gold and many died trying.
It is hard to imagine, but experts believe that someone who didn’t trust banks buried the coins over several years! You might think, “I would never bury and abandon something so valuable,” but did you know that people do worse every day? What about faith? People place their faith in a treasure chest, mark a map with “x,” and promise to return later. They neglect prayer, bible reading, and faith in God, thinking that this valuable treasure can be “dug up” later. Sadly, many never return.
In Luke 18:8, Jesus asked the question, “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Faith is the “buried treasure” that God wants to see in our lives. Have you buried or abandoned your faith? If your faith is buried, don’t wait; dig it up today. Renew your relationship with the true treasure of this life – eternity in heaven with God…salvation through Christ.
