Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Peter 1:3-9

"Twelve paces from the grain bin, face the wall made of tin." Madison read the clue aloud as Sophie carried two garden trowels. Together the sisters headed for the grain bin to find Grandpa's next clue.

That morning, Grandpa had surprised the girls with a game--clues that would lead them to a treasure. He handed them the first clue after breakfast and the girls had been all around the farm, tracking down clues.

Finally, in a little wood, the last one was found. Time to dig! Eyes shining, Madison and Sophie shoveled fresh dirt aside and made guesses about what Grandpa might have hidden.

"Pirates' gold!" said Madison.

"Teddy bears!" said Sophie.

They unearthed a sturdy cardboard box. Madison pulled off the top to reveal another note, this one covered in crumbs. My dear girls, this cake was too delicious to bury. Please forgive me for eating it. Love, Grandpa.

Sophie tossed her trowel on the ground angrily, but Madison reassured her. "You know Grandpa. He didn't eat the cake, at least not all of it. He's only teasing."

Suddenly they heard Grandpa's voice calling them from the porch. Sophie took off running with Madison close behind. On the porch table, a feast was laid: chocolate cake, milk, and oranges. And Grandpa was there, chuckling at his own joke.

"I knew you would have treasure for us!" Madison said. "But Sophie was mad when she saw that empty box."

Grandpa got up and hugged Sophie close. "I was just teasing you," he said. "But I also wanted that box to be a picture for you, a way to see that the treasures of this life are never truly safe. Whatever we value here on earth can be destroyed or lost."

"Or eaten!" added Sophie.

Grandpa laughed. "Right. But because you trust in Jesus, your greatest treasure is no longer here on earth. It is kept safe in heaven by God Himself, and no one can take it away."

"What is it?" Sophie asked. "Rubies?"

"Something more precious than jewels. God keeps our salvation safe--the promise that our sins have been forgiven and we'll spend eternity with Him. You are His child, and no one can take you out of His hand."

–Lisa Nagel