Fleeting vs. Lasting Treasure

In my Through-the-Bible readings, I came to Psalm 17 today.  Psalm 17 is a lament of David, crying for vindication against the unjust accusations of the wicked.  At the very end of the Psalm, David contrasts the hope of the wicked with the hope of the righteous:

Deliver me... from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their womb with treasure;

they are satisfied with children,

and they leave their abundance to their children.

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness.

~Psalm 17:14-15

The portion, treasure, and satisfaction of the ungodly is in this life.  At first glance, it doesn't seem like they've got it too bad; in fact, it looks a lot like the American dream.  Treasure, children, abundance.  A four-bedroom house, a two-car garage, and a white picket fence.  These are gifts from God (You fill...), yet their only portion is in this life, and at the end, they leave their abundance to their children.  It's treasure, yes; but it's the kind that moth and rust destroy and thieves steal.  They are satisfied, yes; but with something temporal and less than they were made for.  Even though their children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), they are missing the One who blesses.

Contrast that to the hope of the righteous: they shall behold the very face of God in righteousness, and they will be satisfied with His likeness.  This is a better hope, an enduring satisfaction, and a glorious joy that will overflow for eternity.

This is what Jesus means when He tells us to store up treasure in heaven; we are commanded and invited to forsake earthly treasure for a better and lasting possession.

May we never get caught up with blessings, even the wonderful blessing of children, at the expense of losing sight of the One who blesses.