Chapter 8—Hidden Treasure
This chapter is based on
Matthew 13:44
.
“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 the field.”
In ancient times it was customary for men to hide their treasures
in the earth. Thefts and robberies were frequent. And whenever there
was a change in the ruling power, those who had large possessions
were liable to be put under heavy tribute. Moreover the country was in
constant danger of invasion by marauding armies. As a consequence,
the rich endeavored to preserve their wealth by concealing it, and the
earth was looked upon as a safe hiding place. But often the place of
concealment was forgotten; death might claim the owner, imprison-
ment or exile might separate him from his treasure, and the wealth he
had taken such pains to preserve was left for the fortunate finder. In
Christ’s day it was not uncommon to discover in neglected land old
coins and ornaments of gold and silver.
A man hires land to cultivate, and as the oxen plow the soil, buried
treasure is unearthed. As the man discovers this treasure, he sees that
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a fortune is within his reach. Restoring the gold to its hiding place, he
returns to his home and sells all that he has, in order to purchase the
field containing the treasure. His family and his neighbors think that
he is acting like a madman. Looking on the field, they see no value in
the neglected soil. But the man knows what he is doing; and when he
has a title to the field, he searches every part of it to find the treasure
that he has secured.
This parable illustrates the value of the heavenly treasure, and the
effort that should be made to secure it. The finder of the treasure in the
field was ready to part with all that he had, ready to put forth untiring
labor, in order to secure the hidden riches. So the finder of heavenly
treasure will count no labor too great and no sacrifice too dear, in order
to gain the treasures of truth.
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