Scheming or Seeking

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy, he went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. (Matthew 13:44-45)

When we compare these two verses, we notice differences. By comparing the two men and their actions, we gain a clearer understanding of this passage. If you have read or heard these passages before, you found the moral taught was likely doing what needs done to gain the treasure for yourself. The treasure is salvation and eternal life. Yet, when we dig deeper, other aspects emerge from these two parables. Each verse is not a stand-alone parable. We should study each of them and note their similarities and differences.

While walking, the man in the first parable found buried treasure. We do not know if he pursued treasure or just stumbled upon it. Moreover, this man may have deceived the landowner by concealing the treasure found on his property. He may have paid less for the land than its true value by withholding the fact of the buried treasure. Overall, the man sold what he possessed to gain the treasure for himself. Treasure was valuable to him and to the hearers of the parable.

The man in the second parable was a merchant. He pursued valuable items to buy and resell. When he came upon a very rare pearl, he opted to sell all he owned to buy the pearl. This merchant sought treasures, whereas the first man may have only stumbled upon his find. The merchant looked in each oyster shell that was for sale to find the important and rare nugget—truth. He represents those who seek God and seek to understand Him in deeper ways. The merchant needed knowledge about pearls, their characteristics, and their monetary worth. In the second parable, upon finding the most important thing, he gave up everything else to possess the precious pearl. The pearl symbolizes the gospel truth. In this parable, Jesus taught in His parable that the merchant forsook other knowledge to claim the truth. He firmly grasped what was most important, the pearl of great price—the Truth.

The first man hid the found treasure. He lied by omission to the landowner. The truth he grasped was not God’s truth, but the one he wanted, as shown by the means he took to get it. To him, the ends justified the means. Jesus never taught that. Jesus taught about righteousness, loving God and people, and telling others the Good News. Ends don’t justify means. Honor, respect, relationship, and obedience are more important. The man in the first parable prioritized ownership over godliness and truthfulness. He forsook all he had. The first parable man gained earthly treasure that would decay or rust. He chose earthly treasures, not spiritual treasures—salvation and eternal life.

The second man did not “steal” the rare pearl, but acknowledged its worth, paid the price, and gained it to make it his own. The man stole the treasure by not mentioning it. He didn’t acknowledge the land’s worth. He was more interested in being shrewd than in truth, honor, and righteousness.

Which man are you like? Are you searching for God’s truth and paying the full price for its worth by reading, studying, meditating on, and praying over Scripture daily? Or do you read a verse, then use it to justify your actions without understanding God’s purposes for what you read? For example, because God, in the Bible, allowed servants, you hire servants. Yet you mistreat them and boast about having servants. The Biblical depiction of indentured servants differs from this example. The servants in the Bible sold themselves to be servants so they could pay a debt. God mandated release from servitude after seven years if the servants were Jews. Added to this, masters were to treat servants with respect and provide for their needs. If a person today boasted of having servants, and he mistreated them, his goal would be arrogance and superiority. The purpose of indentured servanthood in the Bible and this example differed; the first helped a person, and the second showed arrogance.

Which of these men represent you today: the schemer or the seeker?

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

 

Timeless

 

“In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.”

— Matthew 7:12

 

Let’s consider this whole passage.

 

“For this is (the essence or summation)” comes from the similar meaning as “now and forever,” i.e. eternally. The verb “is” is time inclusive, present indicative. It has timeless implications. Jesus used it in calling Himself, “I AM.” It speaks of His eternity and self-existent self.

 

So, the teaching of this verse, “do to others as you want them to do to you,” is a timeless command that Jesus used to sum up the previous eleven verses in His Sermon on the Mount and to sum up God’s command about caring for all creation, including human life. This command didn’t go away when the Old Testament period ended or when Jesus ascended to heaven or when the modern or post-modern times began. 

 

This verse, verse twelve, sums up the previous eleven verses. 

       *Don’t judge other people. (Vs 1-5)

       *Don’t continue to teach God’s truths 

         to people who continue to malign   

         and curse you and what you teach.     

         “Don’t throw pearls to swine.” (Vs 6) 

         They will only continue to twist 

         God’s truths, curse them, and/or       

         speak derisively about them. Obey 

         God then let Him work in the 

         person’s heart.

       *Don’t ignore someone when they 

         seek you, ask for your help, and or 

         plead for something from you. 

         Just as when you ask of something 

          from God, seek Him, and knock on 

          His door to visit with or beseech Him 

          and He responds by providing, 

          opening His door to you, and 

          listening, so you do to others. (Vs 7-

          8). But remember about pearls and 

          swine. 

        *Don’t give what won’t fill the need for 

          what they asked. For example, fry 

          beans to a homeless person, who 

          has no stove, will not give him food 

          to eat. It would be the equivalent of

          stones in his stomach. Giving fruit, 

          vegetables, or meat that is starting 

          to spoil or is spoiled is just as 

          dangerous as giving a snake 

          instead of a fish to eat.

 

In all these instances, do as you want to be done to you. It’s a timeless command, as timeless as Jesus and His love. It never goes away. It’s based on love and care for humanity, the pinnacle of God’s creation. Jesus came to earth because of His love for all people, a love that fed, healed, taught, forgave, and died for them. 

 

Jesus taught His disciples to follow His example. And, the base of it is love for all people. Do as Jesus did and does and will do for you. Do to others what you want them to do to you—love them in action and word and in truth. Teach. Feed. Pray over. Forgive. Help. With the means God has given to you, do to others as He has done for you.