The tyranny of things

Your treasure is where your heart is.

Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Matthew 13:44-46

Once upon a time, a peasant dreamt of an angel.

The angel said, “Tomorrow, you will see a monk who owns the most precious treasure in the world. Ask him for it, and he will give it you.”

Sure enough, the next day, as he walked through the village, he saw a monk begging at the roadside.

“An angel came to me in a dream last night and said that I would meet a monk,” he said. “He told me you’d give me the most precious treasure in the world.”

“Ah,” said the monk, “I suppose the angel must have meant this old thing. I found it lying around in the forest.” And out of his satchel, he pulled out a great diamond, the size of a man’s fist.

“Please, take it,” smiled the monk, and handed the diamond over to the incredulous peasant.

The peasant thanked him with joy, and ran home, wondering what to do with his newfound treasure.

Should he sell it? Who would buy it? How would he know if he had got a fair price for it? And what if someone saw him - would they attack him? Had someone already seen him with the diamond? Was he safe? The peasant’s joy soon turned to worry, and that night, he could not sleep a wink.

The next day, exhausted, he returned to the monk with the stone, and said, “Please, give me the treasure that made it so easy for you to give this diamond away.”

Who has the greater treasure: the one who is worried about wealth, or the one who is free from the tyranny of things?

Which is the greater treasure: hidden gold or pearls, or a baby hidden in the dirt of a manger?

Adapted from an Indian story.