Do you like watching “Antiques Roadshow” on PBS? Me too. I’m always blown away by what the experts uncover. People bring in their family treasures to have them assessed and are sometimes dumbfounded – either because the item is worth less than they hoped or is so valuable they need to insure it. Often they’ve hauled the item out from the back of a closet or their moldy basement. When they discover its worth, they just can’t help themselves. The first thing to pop out of their mouths is “Wow!” often followed by “I need to start taking better care of this!”

This show has taught me a lot about what the world considers valuable. The age of an item may or may not be important. More relevant factors are its rarity, difficulty in making or obtaining, and historical context. If a sword, for instance, was used in a real battle it’s worth more than the reproduction hanging in Uncle Craig’s den. If only a few of them are still in existence, its price at auction goes up significantly. Reproductions can throw even the experts at times. Only by testing can the authenticity of an item be verified.

Diamonds dug out at great personal risk from hundreds of feet underground are more valuable than costume jewelry. And because so few of them are made, natural pearls and other gemstones cost a great deal because they’re so rare. Art pieces are assessed at a premium because not just anyone can produce them.

The Irish people we knew in Canada had a word they used for anything expensive. They called it “dear.” This is an apt description I think. We keep our treasures close to the heart. As Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).

All of us make distinctions about what’s treasure and what’s trash. Common objects easily replaced we handle carelessly. But if we know something is valuable, we don’t leave it in a junk drawer or storage room. We find ways to share our joy in possessing it with others, displaying it proudly on our wall or shelf so they can admire it too.

Have you ever wondered what God values most? His greatest delight, I believe, is when we – the creatures He made in His own image – reflect His character and act in harmony with His purposes.

He was grieved with Israel because “these people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isaiah 29:13). Although He called them “his treasured possession” in Deuteronomy 7:6, many who experienced His miraculous deliverance from Egypt and received His provisions and protection in the desert pursued other gods and adopted the world’s values. They did not esteem their special place in God’s heart, and they did not value HIM.

He tried to call them back through His prophets, but they continued to grieve His heart and try His patience. “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. [Yet] When they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me” (Hosea 11:4, 13:6).

Finally, He sent Jesus, the ultimate gift of love. Through Him a “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) was opened up for Jew and Gentile alike. Tragically the Jewish nation as a whole did not receive Jesus as their Messiah, but a remnant believed, and through their witness we have come into a new covenant with God based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

Francis Chan shares in his book Crazy Love, “The Good News – the best news in the world, in fact – is that you can have God Himself.” Our relationship with Him is the most precious and valuable thing we’ll ever enjoy, but is this evident in how we live our lives? Do we honor and protect this relationship at all costs? Do we display our new life proudly, or do we stuff it in a back closet and rarely think about it?

Peter lavishly described this spiritual treasure in 1 Peter 1:3-7.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” According to verse 7 our faith is of greater worth than gold, and is proved genuine by how we handle trials related to Christ. Suffering for Him is one of the “tests” that will distinguish genuine faith from a good-looking replica. I love how Peter describes Jesus in verses 8 and 9: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Are we full of joy as we walk out our faith? If not, maybe we’ve forgotten just how valuable Jesus is. He’s the original and only real “Wow Factor.” What we have in Him should never grow old. It should continually elicit “Wow” from our grateful lips.

I remember how much my grandmother loved Jesus, how she loved to talk about Him and her future life with Him in glory. Her faith inspired me to seek to know Him too, not just in some religious way but intimately.

As Christians we should never be afraid or ashamed to flaunt the incredible treasure we’ve been given. Unlike material possessions, we don’t have to worry about others envying or despising us for what we have, because they can know Him too. Through faith they can access everything we enjoy!

Whether we have much in terms of worldly wealth or little, we are incredibly blessed. Jesus became poor that we might be made rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Let’s remember to keep Jesus first in our hearts, lavishing love on Him because He first loved us. When we recognize His value, we’ll not run after the tawdry costume jewelry of the world. We’ll take out our diamond and display Him proudly … every chance we get! A song by Ben Cantelon (“Worth It All”) sums it up so well:

“There’s no riches, earthly treasure that will satisfy. … I let go of all I have just to have all of You, and no matter what the cost I will follow You. … Jesus, everything I’ve lost I have found in You. When I finally reach the end I’ll say – You are worth it all!”

As the apostle Paul put it in Philippians 3:8: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” What a treasure He is!