Joao Pimento da Silva had had a dream. In his dream, a spirit came to him and told him that there was treasure buried underneath a rock beneath his kitchen floor. Joao, at 70 years old, was determined to find it, so he started the excavation project in his kitchen.
Over the next year he created a hole about 35 inches wide, perfectly cylindrical, which went down as far as the eye could see to a depth of 130 feet, or the equivalent of a 12-story building! It was an incredible piece of work, and the pictures that the Brazilian fire department took of the shaft are amazing to see.
One day, after bringing up mud and water, as he was coming to the surface on something like a child’s seesaw, without a safety belt, he slipped getting onto a piece of wood near the edge of the hole. Though a friend was with him at the time, he was unable to save him. Joao ended up falling to his death shortly before 1:30 p.m. on January 5, 2024. His quest for gold had come to a sudden and abrupt end. He had head injuries, broken legs and other bone fractures.
IGNORED WARNINGS
A neighbor told local media that he had tried to warn Joao against such a dangerous project several times, but he ignored his concerns. The Bible tells us that “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)). Digging a 130-foot shaft underneath his kitchen had certainly ended in death for Joao.
Joao was convinced that this was the right thing to do. He was so determined to go ahead with this project that he hired others to do the excavating along with himself. He started by paying them 70 Brazilian Reals (US$14.24) and increasing the pay to 80 Brazilian Reals (US$16.27) as the shaft got deeper. Arnaldo da Silva (no relation) told O Globo that Joao “sold everything he had in search of that gold,” including several pieces of real estate. He went on to say, “He had hit a large stone that appeared which was difficult to remove and there were rumors he had been talking about trying to get hold of dynamite.”
Luis Felipe de Miranda, the Second Sergeant of the Minas Gerais Fire Brigade, told the Estado newspaper that Joao likely had experience with excavating and had probably hired professional help, even though his equipment was “archaic” and “homemade.” He then described how the tunnel looked like something alien, because it was so perfect with a very small diameter and a perfect cylinder. He then described the equipment on hand, stating that it was a science to get down so deep and that Joao had experience. He then added, “He was descending on a kind of child’s seesaw, without a belt, without safety.”
Clearly, Joao was not going to let anything stop him from finding this treasure, not even a large stone that was in his way. No doubt his knowledge and experience led him to believe that he could do it, but in the end, his lust for treasure caused him to fall to his death. The Bible tells us, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)).
CONTROL OVER THE HEART
Joao’s whole focus and heart was in finding treasure, but suddenly, without warning his soul was required of God! Jesus gives us a strong warning, saying, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:1515And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)). Jesus is talking about spiritual life and death: of eternal life in heaven or eternal suffering in hell. Riches and possessions will never lead us to eternal life; in fact, the love of them rather than God will only lead to eternal punishment in hell.
You know, it is amazing what people will believe! The Bible warns against believing “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). The spirit in Joao’s dream led to an idea in his head that eventually led him to his death.
Jesus said to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-2120But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:20‑21)). Do you have a heart to know God? To have a personal relationship with Him? It is impossible to have treasure in heaven without knowing God! God sent His Son Jesus to die on a shameful cross for our sins. Jesus bore the penalty of our sins on the cross, shedding His precious blood, dying and rising from the grave on the third day. This is God’s message of salvation to all of us. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
What are you going to put your faith and trust in? It is possible to know God and to have treasure in heaven. “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:66But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)).