The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-02-16
TREASURES OF THE KINGDOM

permission.
TREASURES OF THE KINGDOM
LESSON TExT-Matthew ISAAC: l4:ls.
81.
GOLDEN TExr-Every good gift and
every perfect gift Il from above, and com.
| eth down from the Father Of lights, with
| whom Is no variableness, neither shadow
Of turning.-James 1:17.
Hidden treasurei-there Is some
thing about it that catches our mag
nations and stirs our expectancy Of
discovering great riches. Men are
constantly going on expeditions to
seek out lost treasure. Others are
engaged in study and research to
bring out new treasures in nature
or in the realm Of learning or art.
Why not stir up little excite
ment about the unbelievably rich
treasures which are hid in Christ
and in the life of faith in Him? It
Is not hidden, except to the eye Of
unbelief, but it is greatly neglected
and all but forgotten by many.
The Scripture portions assigned
for our lesson are not as well adapted
to it as one could wish, but we may
make good use of them. We learn
here:
I. The Cost Of Redemption (13:44-
46).
Undoubtedly the lesson committee
had in mind the usual Interpretation
of these parallels, which presents
the sinner as the one seeking the
treasure and giving up all that he
may have Christ.
While it is true that our redemp-
ton is worth more than anything
else In all the world and that the
Christian would gladly set aside Cor
would he?) everything for Christ's
sake, yet that does not fulfill the
thought Of this parable. After all,
what has sinner (whose own right
eousness is described in Scripture
as Filthy rags") to sell in order to
obtain redemption? And is 1t for
sale? (See Eph. 2:8).
Obviously, we here have the Sa-
viour with His all-seeing eye and
loving heart noting in fallen human
ity the pearl Of great price, His own
Church. He then gives up all the
glory He had with the Father,
comes to the earth, and even be-
comes sin for us that He may bring
us to God.
Salvation In Christ Is no little
thing, not something which was pur-
chased with gold or silver, but with
the precious blood Of Christ. We
ought to value it highly, and be-
cause we are bought with such a
price we ought always to glorify God
Il Cor. 6:28).
II. The Heart Of Compassion "a:
1870.
The One who was willing to die
that men might have eternal life
was not unmindful Of their need Of
Fills mercy and grace for their
daily problems. Jesus not only died
that we might have redemption from
sin, but He lived Eyes, and lives
nowD with tender-hearted COM
passion toward those in need.
He who is the living Bread was
not willing that men should hunger
for their daily bread. The disciples
saw only one solution-to send them
away, but Jesus said, ''They need
not depart"
One is fearful that the church has
been all too quick about sending the
needy away to some social agency
or community charity, when il
should have won their confidence by
its compassion, and then brought
them to Christ.
Little is much when God Is In It,
and by the divine touch of Jesus the
multitude was fed. Could we not
do far more for Christ If we would
only use the little we have, with
His blessing, for the help Of our
fellow men?
iii. The Miracle Of Provision IA:
17-21).
We pray, "Give us this day our
daily Bread" and it Is only as God
provides it that we have it. He gives
life to the seed, and multiplies 1t
in rich harvest, and we eat, we
trust, with thankful hearts.
That is miracle-so oft repeated
that we have lost bit Of the wonder
and glory of 1t. Here in the story
Of the feeding of the five thousand
and more ". 21) with five loaves
and two fishes, we have such a mira
Gle of provision taking the little and
making it enough for the multitude.
The Lord may not work in exactly
the same way today, but do not
Gods servants see Him multiply
their meager store as they give it
out in His name? That Is true
whether the gift be of material or
spiritual things. God can and does
bless those who trust Him. Letting
what we have pass through the
hands of Christ results in transfer
nation and multiplication. Try It'll
Men and women are value-con-
scious in our day. While money is
plentiful, goods of real quality are
scarce, and one must look for that
which has durability and worth. The
treasures which Christ offers are en-
| during He saws "T av I'M for vo,,r.