The Real Treasure

Verse 2 “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.”

All of this month, I’m talking about fools or foolishness.  The above verse speaks of gaining treasures through wrongful means – a foolish act.  Ill-gotten treasures can be obtained through obvious stealing, but what about other “treasures?”  

Sex before marriage is an ill-gotten treasure, and it breeds mistrust in a relationship right from the start.  Taking time from a person by gossiping in her ears is an ill-gotten treasure and it not only has no value – it’s quite damaging.  Even stuff we acquire, like houses and cars, if gotten out of greed or because trying to look good, often only makes us want more and we’re never satisfied.

I love the little word “but” because it always means there’s an alternative coming.  And that alternative is righteousness.  We are not righteous – none of us.  That’s why we need a Savior to deliver us from ill-gotten treasures so that we go after the real treasure of knowing Him.  

Instead of acquiring things that have no lasting value, He offers us a big “but” - His righteousness.