The Right Treasure

Hebrews 11:24-26  By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter   and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.  For he considered reproach for the sake of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward..”

Moses was a biblical giant of faith because he, like David, chose the right treasure. His decision was costly. He gave up being known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, that is, royal family status (v. 24). He gave up access to all kinds of pleasure as well as the “treasures of Egypt” (vv. 25–26). He gave up what was presumably the king’s favor and risked his anger instead (v. 27). In short, he sacrificed an enormous amount of power and wealth and what was likely a future filled with more of the same.

What did he receive in exchange? It may seem like a bad bargain. Moses chose “to be mistreated along with the people of God” (v. 25). He preferred (in the larger biblical picture) “disgrace for the sake of Christ” (v. 26). Why? Moses, like all those listed in Hebrews 11, made his choices “by faith,” based on “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (v. 1). Specifically, “he persevered because he saw him who is invisible,” that is, God Himself (v. 27), beginning with his encounter at the burning bush (Exodus 3).

Moses knew that God had called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery. He chose to be faithful to that calling and everything it involved because he trusted God. He knew that an eternal reward lay ahead (Heb. 11:26, v. 6).

May the following lyrics stir you as they did me:

Verse 4: I will not boast in wealth or might Or human wisdom’s fleeting light But I will boast in knowing Christ At the cross.

Refrain: I rejoice in my Redeemer Greatest Treasure, Wellspring of my soul I will trust in Him, no other. My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

-” My Worth Is Not In What I Own”  -Keith & Kristyn Getty 2014

Let’s all determine to choose the right treasure as Moses exampled for us, Pastor Larry