A Mansion Filled with Treasure
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Jesus gives us a tremendous promise based on two requirements.
First the promise: A house filled with kingdom treasure. Not a shed full. Not an efficiency filled. Not a two-bedroom apartment filled. But a wealthy man’s house (mansion). And not a few treasures lying around in the corners but a house filled. Imagine how much treasure it takes to fill a mansion.
Now the requirements:
1) We must be scholars of scripture, not haphazard students doing only the minimum, but diligent and eager seekers with a heart to learn. Jesus refers to these as old treasures. I’ve recently discovered a great book to help us become scholars of scripture—Lois Tverberg’s Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus.
And while you're immersing yourself in God’s Word, remember Holy Spirit is your teacher. Oh, how he loves his job. Talk with him as you read and think. Ask him questions—it’s the sign of a mind and heart at work.
2.) We must also pursue instruction in the “ways of heaven’s kingdom.” These are the new treasures Jesus mentions. Just like the first requirement, we need to have a heart to learn and grow. Every world and country has its “ways” —the established laws that explain what is legal and acceptable.
God’s kingdom also has “ways” that tells us how to live and benefit from our citizenship in his realm. Don’t expect them to mirror the ways of this world. Many of these “ways” will be the exact opposite of what is considered “normal” in our physical world.
This is a treasure hunt without end: There is always more to find and embrace. Many of the blog posts to come will unpack some part of Jesus’ promise or the two requirements to receive it.
Happy Hunting!
[Here is the verse we’ve been talking about from the Passion Translation:
Matt.13:52
Every scholar of the Scriptures, who is instructed in the ways of heaven’s kingdom realm, is like a wealthy home owner with his house filled with treasure both new and old and he knows how and when to bring them out to show others.]