On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1999, thieves used construction scaffolding on a building next to the Ashmolean to break into the Museum and steal a £3m painting by French impressionist Paul Cezanne. The painting – Auvers-sur-Oise – is an oil on canvas, dated between 1879 and 1882. This museum was founded in 1683 and is the oldest public museum in the world. It houses famous works by such artists as Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci.
The thieves broke through the skylight of the museum. They then broke in through the glass roof and lowered rope ladders into the gallery to snatch the painting. Since it never showed up for auction or has not been heard from, authorities believe it was stolen to order.
When we hear of a theft like this, at least for the Christian, several things come to mind.
First, this action violates the commandment not to steal, and it goes against the Pauline admonition not to steal, but rather work with your hands so that you can have something to give to others who are in need.
Second, it immediately makes us revisit the following words from Jesus:
“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” (Matthew 6:19-20).
In the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus is challenging his listeners to re-think their priorities. “Storing up treasures” in Jesus’ day and time was more of a necessity than we might think today. They did not have banks like we do, nor was there a Social Security system for retirement. That’s what makes this challenge by Jesus even more astounding!
One writer makes this observation: “The true value of any treasure is measured by its location.” The greatest treasure is not in the ground, in the bank, or in a museum. Because no matter how secure we think it might be, thieves apparently can always find it!
The challenge is for us to store our treasures in heaven. If the word of Jesus is treasured in our hearts, then thieves cannot steal it there! And, words and works pursued because of our love for Jesus and others will be stored in heaven, i.e., God knows and sees what we do, and He will never forget.
So, how am I challenged by this saying of Jesus? What needs to happen in my life? Allow me to suggest the following:
- Push the “re-set” button on my thinking regarding priorities. Financial and physical treasures are not going to last forever.
- Think of my thoughts as providing the context for spiritual treasures to be discovered.
- Think of my words as offering treasures of wisdom and commitment to God and others.
- Think of my works as specific acts of love being buried within the heart of hungering souls. And, as such, I am storing up treasures in heaven.
I guess all of us need to be challenged daily with asking where our priorities are. Am I spending my time and energy on something that can be stolen and taken away? Or, am I spending my time and energy storing up treasures in heaven?
This makes me think…how about “treasures in heaven” made to order?!
In Christian love, Curtis
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