A Treasure Chest

2 Corinthians 4:6-12

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

A Treasure Chest

               When we speak of a treasure chest, what is it we envision?  Is it some old trunk with a lock on it or do we see a chest with the lid open and precious jewels, pearls, coins and metals overflowing out of it?  Do you realize that you are the Lord’s treasure chest?  He has given and wants to fill you with all things that pertain to life and godliness.  You possess the Christ, which is the richest gift of all.  Colossians 2:3 says, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  It is not our container that gives significance to the treasure; it is the treasure that gives significance to the container, these clay jars, which are our bodies.  

               What do people see overflowing out of your clay jar?  Do they see the riches of the treasure of Christ?  What we don’t often see is the cost of the treasure.  When treasures and the riches are collected and placed within a vessel they often come at a great cost.  The life and significance of the vessel is lost so that the treasure can become the object of focus.  The Apostle Paul was a wonderful example of a vessel filled with the riches and the out-flowing of the life of God, but what had to happen to Saul, the man, to bring him to that place?  His personal life was poured out as a living sacrifice, so that others might partake of the in-working of that treasure that was manifest in his life. 

We sometimes question God as to the trials and tribulations that we must endure, but it is through the crushing that the precious fragrance of Christ is released.  The dependence, the glory and the significance of our lives are blended into Him.  We want to be the vessels that when people look upon us they don’t see the vessel, but they behold that rich treasure which we contain; the chest does not distract them, they just see the treasure, but in reality they have become one and the same. 

You are God’s treasure chest and the in-working of His riches and the out-flowing of His life is often going to crucify and pain this mortal man.  “So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”  Be the treasure chest filled and overflowing with His Life no matter what the personal cost.

Blessings,

#kent

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