Few of us can resist the lure of buried treasures. And if we thought they only existed in the past, or in books and movies, we would be incorrect.

In 2010, multimillionaire Forest Fenn carefully collected historical artifacts, jewels and gold. Placing them in an ornate box, he then buried it somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. He published clues for finding the treasure in his self-published book, The Thrill of The Chase: A Memoir.

More than a quarter of a million people searched for the treasure, estimated to be worth over two million dollars. All of the searchers devoted time and energy to the hunt. Some even went bankrupt. Sadly, four people paid the ultimate price and lost their lives. After nearly a decade of searching, Fenn confirmed one lucky person had found the treasure.

This story illustrates the magnetic power of a treasure. Jesus also spoke of treasures. But He focused on building or accumulating an eternal treasure:

“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 (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)

Normally when I think of treasure, I think in terms of money or material possessions. But it can also refer to other resources like our time, effort, and energy. The Greek word translated as treasure, thésauros, literally means stored up treasure or riches. When used figuratively, it can also mean the thoughts we store in our minds and hearts. In other words, our personal treasure can be found wherever we store our money, time, energy, or thoughts. 

I initially saw these verses simply as a warning against accumulating worldly treasure. But lately I’ve begun to see them in a different light. I believe Jesus gave us a promise. He created our hearts to follow wherever we place our treasure.

 This seems like such a paradox to me. The world tells us to follow our feelings. But Jesus says our hearts will follow where we invest our treasure.

 In my early days as a Christian, I struggled with the idea of doing the right thing when I didn’t have the right heart (or motivation). I didn’t want to be hypocritical. But a wise friend told me: It’s never wrong to do what’s right. She encouraged me to then pray for my heart to follow my actions.

 Over the years, I’ve watched my heart follow my convictions when:

• I invited a friend to church even though I felt selfish and shy.
• I served in Kids’ Ministry when I preferred to worship with the adults.
• I meditated on God’s promises instead of worrying and fretting.
• I gave sacrificially to the church rather than using the money for other needs or desires.

 Because we live in such a fallen world, mixed-up motivations are part of the Christian package. I’ve learned I don’t have to wait for my heart to be right in order to do right. 

But by doing right, I can help my heart get right.

 Like Forrest Fenn, we all have treasures. Where we invest our time, energy, money, and thoughts will determine the resting place of our hearts. If we invest them in following Jesus, we will build an eternal treasure.

Wherever the road leads us next, I pray we continue to invest our treasures (and therefore our hearts) in the One who leads us.