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Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
- How do you know that this treasure seeker understood what he was looking for and what he found?
- Describe the true treasure you have found in God's kingdom.
- Consider how these verses link treasure giving our possessions!
Luke 3 John the Baptist : Share clothes/ food, don't cheat, be content with pay!
Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Rich Ruler : Sell your possessions and give to the poor… find treasure
Luke 19:1-10
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Zacchaeus : After he gives ½ his possessions, Jesus says "salvation has come"
Acts 2/4 First Converts : Sold possessions to give to the needy… found the kingdom treasure
Acts 19:19
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
Ephesians : Burned 65 Lakhsworth magic scrolls… found greater treasure
Why do you think that God so closely links giving and sacrifice with receiving treasure?
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