Treasures Are Closer than You Think

The world is unsatisfied nor does it understand the riches one truly has; we as a society chase after what we desire, looking for that instant gratification only content for a short while until our ears hear something that gives seed to a thought and off we go in search of more.

There is nothing wrong with having more or being rich; we tend to seek to the ends of the world before we start in our own Jerusalem! Is this something that we are all guilty of at one time or another?

I agree with the author, Russell Conwell, that treasures are closer than we think.

The Author

Russell Conwell’s speech, “Acres of Diamonds” was delivered from 1900-1925 over 5000 times. His speech is timeless; it reaches people during his era and to future generations.

In his communication with the audience, he engages the listener to think about his or her own life.

As a preacher, he speaks in boldness about how we should attain for wealth, and he gives subtleties of biblical living. What an eye-opener for people especially Christians on how we live our lives individually and collectively.

Many of us find that throughout our lifetime we may be content for a moment and oh how that moment can change in what seems like a minute. Some of us own our homes and we are so happy when we move in. Time goes on and after a while, we get content almost complacent. Someone comes along with a suggestion of something a little bigger, a little better and off we go seeking more.

There was such a man content in the state he was in until someone came along and shared with him about diamonds and how much these diamonds were worth. The man sold all he had and left his family with a neighbor, so he could find these riches. He died, “never to rise in this life again”; he died with nothing. The farm he left behind the new owner discovered riches, “acres of diamonds”

It’s not wrong to want and strive for more; there is something wrong in giving up the family, farm, apartment, house, and more to chase after something when treasures are right where you are.

The moral of the story ties into our everyday lives as a people, country, and nation we chase in the love of more in lieu of collateral damage. Think of the oil industry. We have oil in the United States, yet we go seeking and securing these riches elsewhere.

There are riches in our children, families, homes, and communities and we miss out on them because we left our “Jerusalem” to go to the ends of the world and for what?

From the past to the present seeking wealth and prosperity is an opportunity for everyone, except Christians. The perspective most take is that Christians should be giving all they have to the poor and live a very basic lifestyle.

Along with most people including Christians believe the preachers should be poor, yet it is quite alright for them to be wealthy. In the Bible, it doesn’t say that having riches is sin. It’s the love of money that is a sin or the root of all evil.

It takes money to support the Gospel. “Money printed your Bible, money builds your churches, money sends your missionaries, and money pays your preachers.”

Yes, they are preaching for the Lord but they should be supported. It’s okay to attain wealth and prosperity.

It goes back to perception and perspective. For the preacher who is rolling around in a Porsche, I may even think twice and maybe pass judgment on my perception and perspective although would it make a difference if in fact-finding one finds that the Porsche was donated by a man who gave his life to the Lord and wanted to do this for the preacher, would that change the perspective?

As a preacher, Russell Conwell, was asked questions such as “Don’t you think there are some things in this world that are better than money?” His answer was “Love is the grandest thing on God’s earth.”

It is stereotypical that the devout Christian must be a pauper; it’s a matter of perception and perspective.

America is the land of opportunity. Many people from other countries have looked in their backyards and in their communities and have found their opportunities are better seized in America.

We in America, have we done the same? This is a land of opportunity. It’s not saying that there are no opportunities outside of America or in the uttermost parts of the world. Are we looking within before looking out? Are we working in our Jerusalem, Samaria, Judea, and going into the uttermost parts of the world?

We can own land here and in other countries we can’t. We can own businesses and have the opportunity to prosper although some do fail. We can assess the failures and restart the business or a different one.

Take a look at what is around us and capitalize on it. Meet the people where they are and listen to them and their needs. Not only would it help in the business opportunity it will allow you to know your neighbor, help meet the needs of that neighbor.

On a personal note, I could relate to “Conwell” when he spoke about the farmer who came into his store and asked for a “jackknife”, not one farmer but three asked for this jackknife. Back in the early 1980s in my fathers “Country Store” where I worked. I had numerous people come in and ask for a particular brand of cigarette. This happened about once a week when finally I told my dad who purchased a case of this brand. We sold out very quickly. Supply and demand, if only we would listen to our neighbors and hear what they are saying.

My dad’s business thrived as he listened to the people.

Teach your children the value of hard work it will build character, “I pity the rich man’s son”

In Russell Conwell’s speech or book, there are so many nuggets to collect. There are so many references to different people attaining or not attaining riches in their lives.

Many sought after riches to find that their wealth was just outside their own doors.

We are all guilty at one point or another of seeking for riches elsewhere. Wealth is not necessarily monetary it can be things such as relationships with our families, business, and even our Christian walk.

All of us should individually and collectively be making a difference in how we live our lives, “Let every man or woman here, if you never hear me again, remember this, that if you wish to be great at all, you must begin where you are.”

Our treasures are closer than you think, secure them.