Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Like treasure hidden in the field

Like treasure hidden in the field

Scripture:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46
Observation:
In this passage, we see yet another aspect of the kingdom of Heaven that the Lord shares in the form of parables. In the first parable, the kingdom if likened to treasure found hidden in a field. The finder quickly proceeds to hide it again, sells all he has and buys the field. In the second parable, the kingdom is likened to a pearl of great value which a merchant sells everything he has to buy it.
As an accountant, these parables speak to me as being all about Investing. In modern day terms, a similar parable could be like a stock market investor finding a very special stock with huge growth round the corner due to a new contract, and knowing this, quickly sells all he has and buys into the stock. Another example could be a property investor finding a shophouse next to location where the building of a shopping mall would soon be announced. This would mean that its price would soon skyrocket. Again, he quickly goes away and sells everything to buy the house.
Basically, in investment terms, the kingdom of heaven is so valuable that it is definitely worth it for us to give up everything to attain it. Just as it is useless for a man to gain the whole world yet lose his soul, it is much more than worthwhile for a man to lose everything in the world, yet attain to the kingdom of Heaven.

Coming back to the first parable of the treasure hidden in the field, we note that the man who found it hid the treasure again. In this scenario, the man had to do this so that someone else wouldn’t see the treasure and quickly buy the field before he did. As for the kingdom of Heaven, it is open to everyone who receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Instead of hiding the good news, we are instead to go forth into all the world and share this good news to those who do not know it.

What then is the application of hiding the treasure? Remember the parable of the Sower, when the birds of the air came and snatched up the seed that fell on the path? In this case, the Word of knowledge of the value of the kingdom of Heaven is like seed planted in our minds and in our heart. The enemy tries to ready to snatch it away by distracting us with the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of wealth and desires for other things. When we are overwhelmed by these things, we may forget the joy of knowing the Way to the Kingdom. That’s why we must hide this Treasure in our hearts, so that no matter what happens in life, we have this knowledge, this confidence resonating deep within us. The Psalmist writes “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you”. It is His Word hidden deep within us that pushes us on to walk faithfully along the narrow road, avoiding the snares and traps of the world.

Application:

Praise God that He has given us the knowledge of salvation in Jesus Christ, and through faith in Him, showed us the Way to the kingdom of Heaven. Remember that the kingdom of Heaven is infinitely more precious than anything this world can offer.

Remember the importance of hiding this truth deep within our hearts that it may always resonate from deep within us no matter what we face in life. Even in times when we are discouraged and downhearted, just remember, “My future home is in Heaven”, and let that joy of the Lord fill our hearts.

Prayer:


We praise You, Father in Heaven, for Your great love for us. You prepared the Way that we might be saved and abide with You in Heaven. You sent Your Son to die on the cross for our sins and be raised again so that we too might be saved with Him. We praise You, O Lord, that Your kingdom is so precious, far more precious that anything in this world. Hide this joy O Lord, deep within our hearts. Let this truth be ever resonating within us. Even in times of trouble and uncertainty in life, let the joy of our salvation still beat strong. We praise You and bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen. 

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