Topic: What Do You Treasure? [January 7, 2017]
Text: Matthew 13:44-52
Key Verse: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matthew 13:44).
The quantum and quality of resources a person invests in his quest for a prize determines how he or she values the goal. If the objective is priceless treasure, the hunter pumps in all his time, energy, skill, money and other materials needed to achieve his ambition. The reverse is that a little cherished purpose does not merit much attention. That is what the Lord teaches in this array of short but instructive parables.
The in-built lessons from these parables teach us that the vicarious death of Jesus for the salvation of mankind is an investment which portrays Him as a wise spiritual Entrepreneur desirous in harvesting souls in line with the promise of the Father (Psalm 2:8). This lesson is akin to our Lord’s declaration about a corn of wheat in John 12:24 which cannot bring forth fruit unless it dies, invests itself by way of being sown in the ground for germination, growth and fruit-bearing. The core of life in the Kingdom is all about sacrifice and the perfect understanding of the stark truth to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
The genuine believer in this age would do well to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His disciples by investing more of their resources in the Kingdom work. There is reward beyond what the world can offer. Jesus says in John 12:26: “… if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Which is better: the short-lived reward from service to mortal man or the everlasting reward God gives to those who spend and give themselves to be spent for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus? The choice is yours to make.
Thought for the day: Serve God selflessly and expect His best.
Bible Reading in one Year: Matthew 14-16
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
