GENEROSITY

Psalm 128:1-6; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:44-52

Introduction 

Most of the domestic games we used to play as children come with a search for one thing or the other. for instance,

- 'Jack where are you?'

- 'Peelolo'

- 'Ahyehy3 aba'

- 'Atet3 atet3'

- 'Treasure hunt' etc. (Do not border your head on what games they are?)

Reading through the parables in Matthew 13:44-52 brings to memory some childhood life experiences. We hide one thing or the other for friends to search for. Today, our topic for reflection is SEARCH FOR THE HIDDEN TREASURE.

Isaiah 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Know the true voice of Christ to lead you to the Hidden Treasure.

Jesus says, His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. John 10:4

Many people search for their heart desires with all their might and strength. The treasures do not come easily yet they do not give up. They dig so deep, destroy forests and lands, pollute the air, all in the name of searching for some precious minerals.

But the question is, how well do we dig so deep to search for the Kingdom of God (The Hidden Treasure)

SEARCH FOR THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Today, the Bible gives us the very map, clues, compass, or the way to finding the ultimate treasure, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Christ Jesus does not hide the route from us at all. He has shown us the direct way when He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through Me." John 14:6

What are we suppose to know whiles we Search for the Hidden Treasure?

CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD

1. Put Value on the Kingdom

'A man finds it and sells all he had to buy. A merchant looks for it and sells all he had to buy it.' 
Without a higher premium on the Kingdom, you will not sell all you have for it. We only sell one item of ours for another because we put so much value on the one we find afterward.

Zacchaeus found it and gave out all he had to the poor and compensated those he had cheated. (Luke 19:8) He places value on the Treasure he finds, therefore counts it all joy to lose all he had for it.

Paul found the HIDDEN TREASURE and would even die for it. (Philippians 1:21)

The higher you value the Kingdom the greater your seriousness to search for it.

Value and receive the Lord Jesus Christ today as your Saviour. Treasure Him by Trusting and Obeying His Word. This is the sure way to the Kingdom of God (Hidden Treasure).

(John 14:6; Romans 10:9-11)

2. Sell Everything for the Kingdom

Selling all they had for the hidden treasure is indicative of never turning back.

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." Matthew 19:20

The disciples told Jesus, "We have left everything to follow you!" Matthew 19:27

Note that, Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt for looking back. When you sell and leave everything, there is nothing to look for behind you.

Jesus said, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

3. Be Perfect Before God

Like all kinds of fishes caught in a net, the bad ones will be thrown away whiles the perfect one in the eyes of the fisherman is taken home. (Matthew 13:47-48)

Being thrown away is to find yourself in hell fire where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:50)

God told Abraham, "I am God Almighty, walk before Me faithfully and be perfect." Genesis 17:1 

Our faith in God precedes our perfection before Him. Our perfect life before God leads us to the hidden treasure.

The Psalmist sums it all by saying,
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. 
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. 
Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord
May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children's children.
Peace be upon Israel. 
Psalm 128

Conclusion 

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness... And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose... What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ... 
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
Romans 8:25-39

The Hidden Treasure which is the Kingdom of Heaven can be searched if we diligently follow the way, the truth and the life (Jesus Christ).