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Looking for Treasures, April 6
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the
which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and
selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:44
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In our day the church has been to a great degree content with the surface
truths of revelation, made so plain and easy to be understood that many have
thought these supplied all that was essential, and in accepting them they have
been content. But the Holy Spirit, working upon the mind, will not allow it to
rest in indolence. It awakens an earnest desire for truth uncorrupted with error
and false doctrines. Celestial truth will reward the diligent seeker. The mind
that is really desirous to know what is truth cannot be content in indolence.
The kingdom of heaven is likened to treasure hid in a field, “the which
when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all
that he hath, and buyeth that field.” He buys it that he may work it, plow up
every part of it, and take possession of its treasures. It is the Holy Spirit’s
office to direct this search and to reward it. The searcher, while digging the
field, finds leads of precious ore of which he seeks to estimate the value, and
he sinks the shaft deeper, for still more valuable treasure. Thus many a rich
lode is discovered. The gold fields of the earth are not so interlaced with veins
of precious ore as is the field of revelation with leads that bring to view the
unsearchable riches of Christ.
The Lord would have every one of His believing children rich in faith;
and this is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. From the
heart the Spirit works outward, developing a character that God will approve.
What a vast field of the treasures of truth did Christ add to the domain of faith
to be appropriated by His disciples! We need greater faith if we would have
better knowledge of the Word. The greatest hindrance to our receiving the
divine illumination is that we do not depend on the efficiency of the Holy
Spirit.—
The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1537, 1538
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