Where does your treasure lie?

 In 1621, the new king of Spain, Phillip IV found himself deeply in debt.  In order to pay his creditors, he commissioned a fleet of ships to bring millions of dollars worth of gold, silver and other priceless items back to Spain from provinces that Spain owned in the Indies.   One of those ships, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, housed over $400 million worth of goods.

King Phillips treasure lie in her hull.

On September 5, 1622, a furious storm hit the fleet as it passed close to the Marquesas islands. Most of the ships were lost, including the Atocha.

350 years later, scuba instructor and treasure hunter, Mel Fisher began a long and tedious expedition to find the Atocha and its treasure.

Mel’s search consumed him.  He put his whole heart into finding it and keeping it.  There were many legal battles over whether he could claim it as his.  During the expedition he lost his wife and son when one of his boats capsized during the night.

But he kept searching.

On July 25, 1985, after searching for 16 years, through tragedy and setbacks, Mel finally found the remains of the Atocha and her mother load of treasure just off the coast of Key West.

Mel’s treasure lie on the sandy bottom of the ocean.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  - Luke 12:34

Where does your treasure lie?  Do you find it in material things, cars, homes, money?  Do you find it in success or power?

Or do you find your treasure in relationships?  Friends, Family?  Do you find treasure in furthering your faith or the faith of others.

True treasure is something that cannot be taken away.  It doesn’t erode over time.  It can’t be washed away or buried in the sand or lost in the deep.  True treasure is unfailing.

Where does your treasure lie?