Treasures By Mark Mayberry 1/10/2016 INTRODUCTION The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines treasure as (1) accumulated or stored wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other valuables; (2) valuable or precious possessions of any kind; (3) one considered especially precious or valuable. Alternatively, Collins English Dictionary says it refers to (1) wealth and riches, usually hoarded, especially in the form of money, precious metals, or gems; (2) a thing or person that is highly prized or valued. In this lesson, let us consider the concept of treasure from a Biblical standpoint, focusing upon earthly treasures, spiritual treasures, and heavenly treasures. EARTHLY TREASURES Blessings All blessings come from God. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights (James 1:17-18). James 1:17-18 (NASB95) 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. Recall the statement made by Eliezer of Damascus regarding Abraham: The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys (Gen. 24:35). Remember the blessings God bestowed upon Israel (Deut. 8:7-10). Deuteronomy 8:7-10 (NASB95) 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.
Reflect upon the realization of Asa, king of Judah: The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side (2 Chron. 14:2-7). 2 Chronicles 14:2-7 (NASB95) 2 Asa did good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, 3 for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment. 5 He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. 6 He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the Lord had given him rest. 7 For he said to Judah, Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. Even wicked men of the world are filled with treasures from a loving God who causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Psa. 17:13-15; 104:14-17; Matt. 5:44-45). Psalm 17:13-15 (NASB95) 13 Arise, O Lord, confront him, bring him low; Deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword, 14 From men with Your hand, O Lord, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your treasure; They are satisfied with children, And leave their abundance to their babes. 15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake. Psalm 104:14-17 (NASB95) 14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man s heart. 16 The trees of the Lord drink their fill, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, 17 Where the birds build their nests, And the stork, whose home is the fir trees. Matthew 5:44-45 (NASB95) 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Paul emphasized this message in preaching to the Gentiles (Acts 14:16-17; 17:24-28). Acts 14:16-17 (NASB95) 16 In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.
Acts 17:24-28 (NASB95) 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we also are His children. Perils We must guard against the danger of forgetting that God is the source of all blessings (Deut. 6:4-15; 8:11-20). Deuteronomy 6:4-15 (NASB95) 4 Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 10 Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, 12 then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. 14 You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, 15 for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the Lord your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 8:11-20 (NASB95) 11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; 12 otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 15 He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. 16 In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. 17 Otherwise, you may say in your heart, My
power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth. 18 But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 It shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. 20 Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the Lord your God. We must guard against the danger of trusting in riches (Prov. 23:4-5; Mark 4:18-19). Proverbs 23:4-5 (NASB95) 4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. 5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. Solomon learned that the pursuit of treasure was vanity and striving after the winds (Eccl. 2:8-11). Ecclesiastes 2:8-11 (NASB95) 8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men many concubines. 9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. The rich fool was not rich toward God, being unmindful of the duties and responsibilities he had toward God and man (Luke 12:15-21). Luke 12:15-21 (NASB95) 15 Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions. 16 And He told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began reasoning to himself, saying, What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops? 18 Then he said, This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. 20 But God said to him, You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared? 21 So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. We must guard against the danger of taking pride in our possessions. Hezekiah foolishly displayed his treasures to the Babylonians (2 Kings 20:12-19; Isa. 39:1-2)
2 Kings 20:12-19 (NASB95) 12 At that time Berodach-baladan a son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say, and from where have they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country, from Babylon. 15 He said, What have they seen in your house? So Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasuries that I have not shown them. 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. 17 Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 18 Some of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away; and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon. 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good. For he thought, Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days? Isaiah 39:1-2 (NASB95) 1 At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 Hezekiah was pleased, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and his whole armory and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. We must guard against the danger of covetousness. Denouncing the widespread corruption of his day, the prophet Ezekiel condemned prophets, priest, princes and the people for their covetousness and exploitive behavior (Ezek. 22:23-31). Ezekiel 22:23-31 (NASB95) 23 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 24 Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation. 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. 26 Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, Thus says the Lord God, when the Lord has not spoken. 29 The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice. 30 I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not
destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads, declares the Lord God. This important concept was incorporated into the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:17; Deut. 5:21). Exodus 20:17 (NASB95) 17 You shall not covet your neighbor s house; you shall not covet your neighbor s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Deuteronomy 5:21 (NASB95) 21 You shall not covet your neighbor s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. It was central to the message of Jesus (Mark 4:18-19; 7:21-23; Luke 12:15), and repeatedly emphasized by the inspired apostles (Eph. 4:17-19; 5:3-5; Col. 3:5-7). Mark 4:18-19 (NASB95) 18 And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 7:21-23 (NASB95) 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man. Luke 12:15 (NASB95) 15 Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions. Ephesians 4:17-19 (NASB95) 17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Ephesians 5:3-5 (NASB95) 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Colossians 3:5-7 (NASB95) 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. Eve coveted the fruit of the tree that was in the midst of the garden (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-6; cf. 1 John 2:16-17). Genesis 2:16-17 (NASB95) 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die. Genesis 3:1-6 (NASB95) 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Indeed, has God said, You shall not eat from any tree of the garden? 2 The woman said to the serpent, From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die. 4 The serpent said to the woman, You surely will not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 1 John 2:16-17 (NASB95) 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Achan coveted items from Jericho that were under ban (Josh. 6:15-21; 7:19-24). Joshua 6:15-21 (NASB95) 15 Then on the seventh day they rose early at the dawning of the day and marched around the city in the same manner seven times; only on that day they marched around the city seven times. 16 At the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout! For the Lord has given you the city. 17 The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the Lord; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But as for you, only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, so that you do not covet them and take some of the things under the ban, and make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it. 19 But all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord. 20 So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. 21 They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.
Joshua 7:19-24 (NASB95) 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me. 20 So Achan answered Joshua and said, Truly, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it. 22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was concealed in his tent with the silver underneath it. 23 They took them from inside the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel, and they poured them out before the Lord. 24 Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. Paul was concerned that the Corinthians might fall into this same trap (2 Cor. 9:1-5). 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 (NASB95) 1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; 4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we not to speak of you will be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness. The wise man said, Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and turmoil with it (Prov. 15:16). Proverbs 15:16 (NASB95) 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it. We should cultivate a spirit of reverence coupled with contentment (Phil. 4:10-14; 1 Tim. 6:6-10). Philippians 4:10-14 (NASB95) 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NASB95) 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. SPIRITUAL TREASURES Those possessing discernment will treasure God s commandments (Prov. 2:1-5). Proverbs 2:1-5 (NASB95) 1 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. Such a disposition keeps us from danger (Prov. 7:1-5). Proverbs 7:1-5 (NASB95) 1 My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, You are my sister, And call understanding your intimate friend; 5 That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words. Precious treasure and oil is found in the dwelling of the wise, but it is squandered by the foolish man (Prov. 21:20). Proverbs 21:20 (NASB95) 20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up. Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matt. 13:44). Accordingly, we should acquire wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 4:7-9; 18:15), buying the truth, and selling it not (Prov. 23:23). Proverbs 4:7-9 (NASB95) 7 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. 8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.
Proverbs 18:15 (NASB95) 15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 23:23 (NASB95) 23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. Let us exalt the Lord, and live in harmony with His will, counting the fear of the Lord as our treasure (Isa. 33:5-6). Isaiah 33:5-6 (NASB95) 5 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. 6 And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure. Since God freely offers spiritual sustenance, why should we spend money for what is not bread, or wages for that which does not satisfy (Isa. 55:1-2)? Isaiah 55:1-2 (NASB95) 1 Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. The Laodiceans practiced faulty spiritual economics, boasting I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, not realizing they were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. As a corrective, Jesus said, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich (Rev. 3:17-18). Revelation 3:17-18 (NASB95) 17 Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Discerning disciples enjoy a constantly growing storehouse of knowledge: Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old (Matt. 13:51-52). Matthew 13:51-52 (NASB95) 51 Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. 52 And Jesus said to them, Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old. Old truths must be consistently followed, and new applications continually made. For example, consider how love is both a new commandment and an old commandment. It is ancient
and ageless, in that God has always required it, but made new through the perfect example of Jesus Christ (John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; 1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-12, 23-24; 2 John 4-6). John 13:34-35 (NASB95) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 15:12 (NASB95) 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. John 15:17 (NASB95) 17 This I command you, that you love one another. 1 John 2:7-11 (NASB95) 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 3:11-12 (NASB95) 11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother s were righteous. 1 John 3:23-24 (NASB95) 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 2 John 4-6 (NASB95) 4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. HEAVENLY TREASURES Through obedience to the command of Christ, let us lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21), storing up for ourselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB95) 19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NASB95) 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. CONCLUSION Avoiding the failed approach of the rich young ruler, let us obey the Lord in all things, not just when our desires and His will happen to agree (Matt. 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27). Matthew 19:16-26 (NASB95) 16 And someone came to Him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life? 17 And He said to him, Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 Then he said to Him, Which ones? And Jesus said, You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 20 The young man said to Him, All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking? 21 Jesus said to him, If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, Then who can be saved? 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Mark 10:17-27 (NASB95) 17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother. 20 And he said to Him, Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up. 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 24 The disciples
were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, Then who can be saved? 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. Luke 18:18-27 (NASB95) 18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother. 21 And he said, All these things I have kept from my youth. 22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 26 They who heard it said, Then who can be saved? 27 But He said, The things that are impossible with people are possible with God. Luke 6:38-45 (NASB95) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. 39 And He also spoke a parable to them: A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother s eye. 43 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Let us cultivate consistency of character, being generous and gracious in our earthly relationships, so that the Lord will say of us, That good man/woman out of the good treasure of his/her heart brought forth what is good (Luke 6:44-45). Luke 6:44-45 (NASB95) 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
May we, like the Ethiopian nobleman, discover in the Sacred Scriptures a treasure greater than all earthly riches (Acts 8:26-39). Acts 8:26-39 (NASB95) 26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is a desert road.) 27 So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot. 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? 31 And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. 33 In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth. 34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? 37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.