The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is the story of three down-on-their-luck prospectors and their search for gold in Mexico.

At one point in their search, prospectors Fred, Bob, and Howard are joined by a fourth man. No sooner had the new prospector arrived then the four are involved in a gunfight with several bandits. Although the bandits are scared away, the fourth prospector is killed. The other three approach the body, which is propped up against a large rock. They decide to find out who the man was. [Only the top of the dead man's hat is visible to the audience throughout the scene]

Howard (Walter Huston) bends down and removes the dead man's wallet and some papers.

"His name is James Cody; Dallas, Texas. There's a letter from Dallas too. Must be his home," Howard says, and shows the others a photo of a woman. One of them remarks "Not bad." Howard starts reading, and then Bob takes over.

Dear Jim: Your letter just arrived. It was such a relief to get word after so many months of silence. I realize of course that there aren't any mailboxes that you can drop a letter in out there in the wild. But that doesn't keep me from worrying about you. Little Jimmy is fine, but he misses his daddy almost as much as I do. He keeps asking, "When's Daddy coming home?"

You say if you do not make a real find this time, you will never go again. I cannot begin to tell you how my heart rejoices at those words, if you really mean them. Now I feel free to tell you, I've never thought that any material treasure, no matter how great, is worth the pain of these long separations.

The country is especially lovely this year. It's been a perfect spring: warm rains and hardly any frost. The fruit trees are all in bloom. The upper orchard looks aflame, and the lower, like after a snowstorm. Everybody looks forward to big crops. I do hope that you are back for the harvest.

Of course, I'm hoping that you will at last strike it rich. It is high time for luck to start smiling upon you. But just in case she doesn't, remember, we've already found life's real treasure.

Forever yours, Callie.

Fred (Humphry Bogart) says, "Well, I guess we better dig a hole for him."

This story is a stark reminder that what we search so desperately for, can often be found right where we are.  The man in the story above thought that happiness would finally be realized when he struck it rich.  He had riches all along with a woman that loved him, and with a child that missed his daddy.  

How many people struggle with this in the spiritual realm?  Jesus stands waiting for each of us to recognize that He has an abundant life for those who will call upon His name.  

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  John 10:10 (ESV)