Continuing this theme of hidden treasure in 1 Corinthians 6:19 we read, “And we also carry His light, deep within our bodies, do you not know that your body is the temple of God -the temple of the Holy Spirit?”
"The Mystery of the Missing Owner" read the headline on an unusual section of the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, February 6, 2005. The supplement was actually a legal notice published by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office seeking to give money away to rightful owners--the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes, forgotten bank accounts, security deposit checks, uncashed pay-checks, and dividend checks.
More than a billion dollars was owed to nearly five million people and businesses that the Treasurer’s Office could not trace. The front page of the supplement listed the names and last known addresses of 10 individuals or couples each owed over $100,000. And what followed were 116 pages packed tightly with names from Lucilee Aakeberg to Leonard E. Zyzda--113,000 names of people all owed more than $100 in cash and/or stocks and shares!
It seems like such a shame that people could be unaware of their rightful treasures. Yet that is precisely the condition of many Christians who live without taking advantage of God’s promise of peace, strength, comfort, wisdom, love and many other spiritual treasures to which all the heirs of God are entitled. What treasures might God be holding in trust for us to claim?
Loving God, help us to see the hidden treasure in our communities. People who quietly go about doing wonderful things that make a difference, yet not seeking the limelight. Our churches are made up of individuals who tirelessly try to show your love to others, and so bring hope and help to people in need. Often these ‘hidden treasures’ are the catalyst behind a new project that encourages others to try something different. We bring them to you in gratitude for their selfless giving of themselves, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Amen.
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