Finding the 'Treasure of Heaven' on Earth
Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus’ promise of finding ‘Treasure in Heaven’ while still in the land of the living. However, this week’s Gospel Mark 10: 17-30 goes on to say ‘How difficult it will be for those with wealth to enter the Kingdom of Heaven…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle’ thereby differentiating what we know as wealth and the ‘Treasure in Heaven’. So often we are fooled into thinking that the ‘Treasure in Heaven’ is worldly wealth.
St Paul in his ‘Letter to the Galatians 5:18-25 describes the ‘Treasure of Heaven’ as ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ and lists them as: ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’. Yesterday, at my midday homily, I told the congregants that ever since I embarked on my search for the ‘treasure of heaven hidden in the field of the world’ I have been experiencing flashes of those treasures.
I encouraged them to reflect on their own lives and consider where they might have already encountered these ‘Treasures.’ It’s easy to overlook them because they don’t glitter like gold or fill our bank accounts, yet they are the very essence of what makes for a wonderful life. Love in our relationships, peace in times of trial, patience in difficult moments, and kindness shown to others—these are the signs that we are, even now, touching the ‘Treasure of Heaven.’
I invited them to recognize these moments, not as fleeting or trivial, but as glimpses of eternity in our daily walk with Christ. As we continue on our journeys, let us keep our eyes open for these divine gifts, knowing that they are the true measure of treasure in God’s Kingdom.
The difficulty for those with wealth to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is that worldly wealth brings attachments to things. Worldly wealth often leads to a false sense of security, power, and self-reliance, making it harder for us to fully depend on God. It tempts us to invest our hearts in possessions, status, and material success rather than in the things that truly matter—relationships, service, and spiritual growth.
These attachments can create a barrier to generosity and humility, blinding us to the needs of others and dulling our awareness of God's call to surrender and trust in Him. In contrast, the Kingdom of Heaven requires detachment from the temporal and a focus on the things that endure to eternal life. It is not about what we possess, but about who we become in our relationship with God and how we reflect His love in the world.
Friend, I encourage you to visit my website at the link below, where I offer further resources for living that wonderful life of the Kingdom of Heaven, while still in the land of the living. And to consider making a donation toward my online ministry, to support my effort in promoting the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Today, I start back making videos for my different membership and retreat programs. Join me. Kingdom of Heaven Resources LINK