Epistles to the Cyberchurch - Su Min

From: Su Min
Subject: Treasure

To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered though-out Canada, Hawaii, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, UK, USA and cyberspace, we have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and by sprinkling of His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance (1_Peter_1:2)

Today we look at Matthew_13:44

Buried treasure.

Two thousand years ago in Israel, there were already ancient treasures, from civilisations of yesteryear: Perhaps an ancient ceramic bowl. Perhaps an antique statue. Perhaps a chest of gold coins.

The idea was a very real one, even though the experience may not have been very common.
Digging, perhaps in preparation to plant some vegetables, and striking something solid with the spade, and unearthing a buried treasure.

The digger recognises the value of the treasure.

"Finders keepers" may not be enough. He wants full legal recognition of ownership.
So he replaces the treasure where he had unearthed it, and covers it up again.
At great great expense, for it costs him ALL he possesses, he purchases the plot of land where the treasure is located, and so becomes the rightful owner of that treasure.

Treasure.

The word in the Greek text is "thesauros" (Strong's Concordance #2344) a deposit, wealth, a literal or figurative treasure.

The Word of God has quite a lot to say about treasure, the earthly kind and the spiritual kind.

Early in Exodus, God declares that we are His treasure.
You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession (a peculiar treasure, KJV). Although the whole world is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus_19:5-6)

The psalmist echoes this:

The Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own Israel to be his treasured possession (his peculiar treasure KJV) (Psalms_135:4)

More about treasures in Proverbs: the distilled wisdom of the ancients...
The house of the righteous contains great treasure but the income of the wicked brings them trouble (Proverbs_15:6)

A gospel of health and wealth? I think not.
The wicked get trouble: intangible but real negative balance, losses.
The unwicked, the godly, the righteous will benefit positively in things spiritual.
Does not stop them from gaining some nice physical assets, car, house, shiny things with knobs on, but the real blessing in the house of the Godly is the peace that passes all understanding and the rich spiritual inheritance.

Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord, than great and treasure and trouble with it (Proverbs_15:16_AMP)

and all the angels say AMEN!

The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure (Isaiah_33:6)

So treasures are there for us to find, dearly beloved, and the key to the treasure is fear of the Lord.

Jesus taught much about spiritual treasures

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew_6:21)

A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things (Matthew_12:35)

Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. (Matthew_19:21)

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Matthew_13:44)

There are some bibles scholars who see this parable as relating to Jesus redeeming Israel, but I am led to follow the simpler, more direct analogy: that Jesus Himself is the Great Treasure.

Can I call Jesus Lord of my life and yet keep my bank account for my own personal use? Can I say, "I surrender all", but want a discount on the time I surrender, and keep a selfishly inordinate amount of time for whiling away in useless earthly pleasure, Internet surfing, gambling, wining, womanising, songing (purists might say "singing" is the correct word"), karaoke, golf, committee meetings and those myriads of activities that keep us away from kingdom work? Now this is not to say that we are not to take a break from routine, that we are not to relax and enjoy ourselves: far from that..
but we are accountable to our Lord and Master who sees all and knows all.

One day, we will all stand before the great white throne and be judged according to our works..

One thing God has spoken two things have I heard That you, O God are strong and that you, O Lord are loving.
Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done (Psalms_62:12)

I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. (Jeremiah_17:10)

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. (Matthew_16:27)

We will all stand before God's judgement seat (Romans_14:10)

We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad (2_Corinthians_5:10)

Tis a spiritual battle beloved: the enemy prowls about like hungry lion, waiting to devour. But our God is a mighty God. He has conquered all. Sin and death have been defeated. Protect yourself with the armour of God. Dwell within the shadow of The Rock.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore! AMEN. Jude 24-25.


For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min



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