Hiding God's Word in Your Heart - Hidden Treasure

Many years ago there was a man who had a great treasure. He kept the treasure in a great treasure chest, and hid the chest under the floor of his bedroom. As happens, the man would need money to pay for things. One day he saw a beautiful horse he wished to buy, and so he went to his bedroom, lifted the trap door, and opened his treasure chest. Taking the money he needed, he closed the lid, closed the trap door, and went to buy the horse. Another time, he became very sick. He was in bed for days, and knew he had to see a doctor. But of course, doctors cost money, and so he slowly opened the trap door, and opened his treasure chest, got out one gold coin, and saw the doctor. The doctor was able to find out what was wrong, and the man got well. It was a very good life for the man. But one day, he was reaching up high for a book he wanted when another book - a very heavy book - also got knocked off and it hit the man very hard on the head. He fell to the floor, and was dazed. He rubbed his head, and rubbed it and rubbed it until it slowly began to feel better. When he got up, he suddenly realized that he didn’t know where he was, or who he was. He didn’t recognize his house, or anything around him. He felt like a stranger in his own home. And after a while, he left his home, because he had forgotten who he was. And, of course, he forgot all about the great treasure that was hidden in his bedroom. He wandered around from town to town, became very poor and had no home. One day, he happened to pass by a man who had known him when he was well, and the man stopped and was very surprised. He called him by name, but the man did not realize that was his name. The man said - of course you remember me. I did business with you for many years. But look at what’s become of you. Are you well? The man said, I don’t know. I have been wandering around for a long time, and don’t know who I am or where I live. His friend happened to be a very good man, and felt so sorry for him. “I will take you first to my home, and feed you and take care of you, and then I will bring you back to your home, and help you remember everything.” The man was so happy, because he was very sad not knowing who he was. After many weeks with his friend, getting wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinner, and sleeping in a warm soft bed, the two friends went to the man’s house. The man was so surprised to see what a beautiful house he had, and his friend said - I know that you have a treasure hidden in his house, for you told me so. But I don’t know where it is. His friend left him, and the man was very surprised to hear that he wasn’t poor at all, but had a treasure! But where could it be? He started looking inside flowerpots, and under dishes. He looked behind pillows and under blankets. But he wore himself out looking for the treasure. As he sad on his bed, he noticed that there was a trap door on the floor of his bedroom, and he thought - I wonder... He went over, and pulled the door up. Down below, what did he find? A very heavy box - a box so heavy he would not lift it. And so he leaned over and undid the latch - and inside were piles of gold coins. My treasure - he cried! I’ve found my treasure again. The man was very happy, and sent a message to his friend to come celebrate that he had found his treasure again. Now boys and girls, you and I are like this rich man. We probably don’t have a treasure chest hidden under our bedroom floor, but you and I have another type of treasure that is very real and very wonderful. Do you remember in the story what the man used his treasure for? He bought a horse, and he paid for the doctor when he was sick. In AWANA, you have learned many verses from the Bible, haven’t you? Some of you are just beginning and some of you have learned very many verses. Imagine that each verse you learn is a gold coin. Now let’s imagine that one day you are feeling very sad. Maybe your friend has said something unkind to you. And you feel bad. What can help you? Maybe in AWANA you have learned a Bible verse that tells you something like this - “God so loved the world...” You think - hm - that means God loves me. And so you feel better remembering that God loves you, even when your friend is a little mean to you. That verse has helped you, hasn’t it? Now let’s imagine another scene. You are at home, and your brother or sister has gotten a goodie bag from a birthday party. The bag is really full of all kinds of good stuff, as you can see. And your brother or sister has left the bag on the table - right where you can see it. So you think - I could take just one thing from the bag, and no one would notice. But imagine at that time that you reach into your treasure chest of the Bible, and think - God does not want his children to steal. Oh boy! What will you do? Remember how the rich man got hit on the head and forgot all about his treasure? You boys and girls have very tender hearts to God right now. But sometimes as we get older, we can forget how important God is. We can become like the man who forgot about his treasure. The treasure was still there, but he became poor because he forgot about it. Boys and girls, knowing Jesus is the best treasure there is. You are very rich when you know Jesus and believe in Him. People without Jesus are very poor - even if they have lots and lots of money. But Jesus wants everyone to know him and have this great treasure. And he wants his children to use the treasure when they are in trouble or need help. When you hide God’s word in your heart, you are building a great treasure. But don’t hide the treasure and forget about it. Open the lid, think about God’s words, and use them to help you.