At first glance, these two lines do not seem to relate, but a closer examination indicates how well they connect. Treasure always sound like a good idea, but ill-gotten treasures are of no value. There are two reasons why:
1.) Because the people I ripped off to get that treasure might come after me, with or without the help of the police!
2.) God knows and promises that He won’t let me get away with anything.
The second half of the verse states that righteousness delivers from death. Righteousness focuses on my attitudes under God, not my actions. In the end, it won’t matter how much treasure I have piled up, who I know that can hook me up or how much good I did. My right relationship with God is all that can deliver me from death – physical or spiritual.
The first 3 Steps of the 12 Steps amplify this concept. Step 1 speaks of my powerlessness (treasure or not!). Step 2 says He has the power to do for me what I can’t do for myself (whether chemicals or anything else). Step 3 tells me to make a decision to let Him do in my life what I can’t do for myself – that’s righteousness.