Many people would think of treasure like the image above, or perhaps a loved one referred to as "my precious treasure". Let's look at how God sees treasure, for we can receive enlightenment for many areas including finances.
Foremost, God sees His Word as treasure, in Matthew 13:52 Jesus spoke about how every teacher of the Sacred Writings is like a householder who brings forth treasure that is new and old.
Colossians 2:3 refers to Jesus in this way - "In Him all the treasures of divine wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and all the riches of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and hidden."
Moses knew of this treasure, in Hebrews 11:26 it is written how he considered the abuse and shame borne for the Christ (who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward.
We should know learning of God's ways in His Word how He values what we cannot see - “Consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
That verse ties in well here... “But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal.” (Matthew 6:20). In this passage Jesus was describing to us what He had seen to be the truth of what occurs when we give of our finances… our treasures are transferred up to heaven.
He also was accurately illustrating of what happens in that everything--every "treasure" as we view it here gathered on earth is eventually destroyed… and conversely, everything that we gather (give) towards heaven will last eternally.
Towards managing our daily finances properly, God has provided this easy to understand solution in Proverbs 21:20, "There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it." God's Word is simply telling us to spend less than what we make. We frequently deceive ourselves that we can have many discretionary purchases now with no consequences ahead. That is a lie which becomes more visible when the bills arrive each month.
To spend less than we make, we need to choose contentment. In Philippians 4, Paul tells us "I have learned how to be content in whatever state I am. I know how to live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance." He received his contentment from Christ. It is in this reliance that will provide patience, enabling us to turn away from choice of spending money we do not have that plunge us into debts.
In examining our level of contentment there is this loving, but penetrating instruction that came from Jesus in Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The intent of Christ speaking this was not to condemn us, but to illuminate the difference between placing our affection on this world and with Him and His Kingdom.
The more that we regard His Word - the treasure that God sees it, in our finances, first from giving as we are instructed, then the more we will also be able to make wise choices in our spending. It may be by overcoming temptation to spend on something fruitless, or waiting for the timing to be right when you have enough to make a purchase without using credit or borrowing.
Most everyone, regardless of their level of wealth has to deal with or end up suffering from the consequences of overspending. I want to encourage you that as believers in Christ we have resources--treasures, that the rest of the world does not have to overcome.
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted] for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
