The parable of the treasure in Matthew 13:44 reminds us that God is a greater treasure than anything else we could ever possess. That’s something you know well if you’ve experienced God’s all-encompassing sufficiency, like David expressed it in Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Many people unfortunately assume that Psalm 23 is just for those who are sick, suffering, and dying, but it’s meant to be a picture of everyday life lived under God’s sovereign and compassionate care. Many people (even some who would call themselves Christians) have never experienced God’s sufficiency in that way. According to Christian counselor (and Kailua boy) David Powlison, they may be living in Anti-Psalm 23:
I’m on my own.
No one looks out for me or protects me.
I experience a continual sense of need. Nothing’s quite right.
I’m always restless. I’m easily frustrated and often disappointed.
It’s a jungle—I feel overwhelmed. It’s a desert—I’m thirsty.
My soul feels broken, twisted, and stuck. I can’t fix myself.
I stumble down some dark paths.
Still, I insist: I want to do what I want, when I want, how I want.
But life’s confusing. Why don’t things ever really work out?
I’m haunted by emptiness and futility—shadows of death.
I fear the big hurt and final loss.
Death is waiting for me at the end of every road,
but I’d rather not think about that.
I spend my life protecting myself. Bad things can happen.
I find no lasting comfort.
I’m alone… facing everything that could hurt me.
Which one sounds better to you?