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Treasure

Proverbs 2:3-5
   Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
   If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
   Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

  Treasure is anything of value laid up in store.  It can be silver and gold or other wealth.  The knowledge of God and reverence of the LORD are true treasures held in store for us.  The Word of God promises that when we ask God for knowledge and understanding and seek these treasures that we will find them.  So let's go on a little treasure hunt.

Matthew 6:19-21
   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
   But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
   For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

   In Bible land understanding the treasures in these verses are thoughts which we hide in store in our hearts.  A translation of these verses in light of the figures used would be:

   "Do not let your thoughts be centered in material things where fears and worries breed defeat and frustration and where doubts break through and steal your thoughts. But let your thoughts be centered on God and spiritual things, where neither fear nor worry breeds defeat and frustration, and where doubts do not break through and steal your thoughts. For where your thoughts are, there will your heart be also."

   When our thoughts are centered upon earthly treasures (food, clothing, money, and dwellings), fears and doubts break into our treasury and steal our thoughts.  But when we store the Word of God in the treasury of our heart and keep our thoughts on heavenly things we are not robbed by the fears and doubts of the world and we can live a life that is more abundant.

Psalm 119:11
   Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Colossians 3:1-2
   If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
   Set your affection [thoughts] on things above, not on things on the earth.

   We store the Word of God in the treasury of our heart.  God's Word is our treasure.  We set our thoughts on what we have been given in Christ.  We are seated in Christ at the right hand of God. (Ephesians 2:6)  We are no longer of this world - even though we are in the world.  Our treasure is kept in heavenly places in Christ.

Colossians 2:2-3
   That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
   In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

   The mystery, hidden in God, was revealed to the church by the Apostle Paul in the epistles written to the church.  When we confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and believed God raised him from the dead, we received holy spirit.  We accepted Christ as our substitute and we are identified with him.  We are raised up together and seated in Christ at the right hand of God.  We have been given the great treasures of wisdom and knowledge that God held in store in His own treasury until the day of Pentecost.  We have also been given an inheritance that is stored up for us in heaven.  There is more treasure to come.

1 Peter 1:3-4
   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
   To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

   When we are born again we receive God's gift of holy spirit.  This is a valuable treasure which God stores within us.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7
   For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
   But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

   We have tremendous treasure stored in our earthly corruptible bodies.  We may not look like much on the outside, but held in the treasury of our hearts is the power of God.  We hold the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  God has given us this treasure to share.  The light we have is treasure for the whole world.

Philippians 2:13
   For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
   Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
   That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
   Holding forth the world of life; . . .

   The great treasure of God's Word and the light we have inside is to be held forth.  God works in us to make known His will and His good pleasure.  We have this treasure to share.

Proverbs 15:6a
   In the house of the righteous is much treasure: . . .

Proverbs 21:20a
   There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; . . .

   Oil in the Bible represents the presence of God.  In our homes others find the presence of God and the treasure of His Word.  We have treasure from God.  God also has a treasure.  Our reverence and love for Him is God's treasure.  Our times are stable when we rely on God's wisdom, knowledge and strength.  Our reverence, love, and reliance on Him are what God treasures.

Isaiah 33:6
   And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.


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