There was a very poor man who had no land of his own, who worked in his neighbour’s field. One day while tilling the land he hit metal. The surprised man examined the place and found a brass chest. Inside were diamonds, rubies, precious stones, gold and crores of rupees. His eyes popped out at the sight. He almost had a cardiac arrest. He looked around, covered it with soil and tried to walk casually whistling a tune, even as his heart was pounding wildly. He approached his neighbour to negotiate the price of the field. The unwilling neighbour demanded an enormous and unfair price. The man set about to buy the field. He sold his hut, few cattle, the rice bags in his house stored for a year and whatever he could. People called him a fool. Finally he brought the sum and laid it at the feet of his neighbour. The deal was clinched. His smile could have lit up the night sky. He was the proud owner of the treasure! (Mt 13:44).
Here’s a hair-raising story from the Bible pregnant with lessons for us. First of all it speaks of the Kingdom of God as a HIDDEN treasure in a field. The field is the world. The kingdom of God is in the world, yet hidden. Many see it, yet don’t find it. It is not seen with the eyes, but with the heart. Jesus said, “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given .... seeing they do not see” (Mt 13:11-13).
Oh, how the eyes of men rove around the world and its things. The cut-throat competitive world, bulging bank balance, lucrative job, luxuries, TV, health, beauty, possessions - all cast their impressive shadow across the landscape of christendom. We climb the greasy pole of success, hatch great and ambitious schemes and pursue mirages. We dance to the earn-and-spend, spend-and-earn lusty rhythm. We bounce back and forth between church and cine shows living a double life. Everyday we sink deeper into the mire of materialism. The world fogs our eye from seeing the imperishable Kingdom the treasure box that will never go dry. It is all the more serious when those who have discovered the trove, forget it and go after the world as if they are paupers. This is a tinsel world too glamorous to be ignored. It can pull us down in an alligator death roll... But the treasure is under the soil, its glitter covered... We believers run after entertainment, fight for property and work overtime as if we are going to live on this planet eternally. The devil tells us that these are a must in life. That’s a lie from the pit of hell. Shajahan gave a grand feast to the workers who built the Tajmahal and then cut off their arms. Well, that’s what the devil does to those who aithfully serve him.
If our eyes have rally seen the treasure nothing can occupy our minds and hearts more. Jesus told Peter, “Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Mt 16:17). Think of this man tilling; ploughing and sowing in the field, as if this bonanza was not enough. Nobody can be a worse fool than him. But that’s exactly what we believers do. Modern life seems to require that we operate in top gear. That leaves us with no time for the treasure. The field becomes our world and we spend our entire life on it. John counsels us not to love the world or the things that are in the world. We have to break bonds with the world.
Many of us have not really understood the meaning of the word TREASURE. It makes the pauper a prince. Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither can one imagine what God has prepared for us. Yet we treat it lightly. Think of being invited to Ahaseurus’ banquet.
That’s nothing compared to the feast of the Lamb.
It is an eternity affair.
“A” man found. The Kingdom of heaven is about individual responsibility. The treasure is for each one to possess. It is our individual responsibility to find the treasure and keep it. We should learn to focus our attention on the plank in our own eye rather than meddling with the speck in the other persons’ eye. When two believers find themselves at each other’s throat and their voices clash like swords, atleast one should realize that it is his own responsibility to obey the Kingdom rules. If the action is bad the reaction need not be bad. If the other person loses his Christian virtues we need not follow suit into the same gutter. When someone goes out of the boundary in a game and you go there to catch him, you too are disqualified. I am accountable for what I say and do, even as a reaction. What goes inside us does not defile us. But what comes out of us has tremendous power either to stain or sanctify us. Be a minority among minority rather than follow the majority. Take care that you don’t go into hell holding on to somebody’s dirty feet.
What did this man do? He went, “for JOY over it”. This joy is ours. We have found the treasure. Let’s imagine this man returning home after discovering the treasure. He would go singing a jumping tune, dancing on his feet. If someone comes running to inform him that his only ox had fallen in a pit and died he would simply smile and say, “It’s OK”. If he hears his house was on fire, he would respond, “No problem”. This joy should seep into our entire life like tea from a tea-bag. Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy that was set before Him (Heb 12:2). His eyes were on the joy as He was hanging on the cross. Habbakuk had rightly understood the joy of salvation when he spoke of failure of his fig tree, olive plantation, fields, flock and herds and added, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the GOD OF MY SALVATION” (3:18).
He could go through so much tragedy with remarkable grace. No wonder Paul was jubilant inside the prison dreaming about his treasure. Let his joy rub off on you. He had understood perfectly that happiness is an attitude not a condition. We chase happiness when it’s waiting all around us. Quit blaming the world for the way your life has turned out. You have the power to change. Everything is a choice in life and happiness is a choice too.
Life is no walk in the park. Life sort of bites you. But your worries will roll off like water off a duck’s back if you dream about the riches and joys at the end of the road. Get lost in the dreams of the beyond and hereafter. Then you’ll feel like you’re flying. If it is difficult to find happiness in yourself it is difficult to find it anywhere else. Why is there a load of worry on our faces? Why do we get depressed? Don’t forget that we have found the treasure! Skip and dance seeing the rainbow and not the rain. Stop whining. Don’t let sorrow dominate your life. That may render you fruitless or lead to backsliding. Life does not have to be absolutely perfect to be wonderful. Always be singing, dancing, bubbling for the treasure you have found. We may lose everything in life but we still have the treasure. Then why worry? What has hijacked the music out of your life?
Paul counsels us to rejoice in the Lord and not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving make known to God. “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7). This anxiolytic formula will guard us from the ill effects of massive anxiety attacks and put to rest our darkest nightmares.
In real life we totter from crisis to crisis. Learn to see every crisis as an opportunity. Then life will turn out to be a thrill. There is nothing that life can toss at you that you and God together cannot tackle. Let your heart sing for joy. With Him by your side you can face the whole world.
Christians don’t laugh enough and we live in a time when laughter is absolutely important. What are you going through right now? Refuse to be undone. Take it to the Lord in prayer rejoicing. Then the joy that always seems to be dancing beyond your fingers will instantly become yours.
Finally, this man, “goes and SELLS all that he had and buys that field”. The treasure had not become his yet. He had to pay a price for it. He had to give up to get what he wanted, but compared to the value of the bounty the price he had to pay was peanuts. This is sacrifice. Sacrifice is not a popular buzzword these days. The treasure was free but not cheap. Many believers are out of mind. There is a dangerous lull in their spiritual lives. They still hold on to worldly things and wordly pleasures. We have to give up everything to inherit the treasure. Jesus said even
sacrificing our right eye or right arm is worth it. “Go ... sell...give... and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mk. 10:21).
It is not just money and materials that we have to give up. It is “all”. It is our pride, our ego, comforts, anger, ambitions and a truck load of things (or sins). Give up before you make a fool of yourself. You really have to say bye-bye to a lot of things in life. By faith Moses forsook Egypt. If the treasure is our focus, sacrifice will become easy. Think of this man fighting for a mud pot. Think of king Solomon fighting for a goat with his neighbour. Nothing could be more silly. But that’s exactly how we behave. “May God give us the wisdom to hold things lightly, to let things go, to give our attention to things that last forever,” said Elizabeth Elliot. If this man had not paid the price he would not have become the proud owner of the treasure. Many of us are dangerously close to losing the treasure.
Alert ! It is time to start living differently. Less luggage, more comfort, make travel a pleasure. You don’t have to live like a hermit but lead as simple a life as possible.
Life is no more than a brief flash quickly forgotten. Years fly by. We are tumbling towards the end of our life. One fine morning we’ll find ourselves staring into eternity. The treasure is tantalizingly sparkling yonder. Go on your journey joyfully
shaking your tail feathers, singing a serenade. Sell all and buy it at any cost ! instantly become yours.
Finally, this man, “goes and SELLS all that he had and buys that field”. The treasure had not become his yet. He had to pay a price for it. He had to give up to get what he wanted, but compared to the value of the bounty the price he had to pay was peanuts. This is sacrifice. Sacrifice is not a popular buzzword these days. The treasure was free but not cheap. Many believers are out of mind. There is a dangerous lull in their spiritual lives. They still hold on to worldly things and wordly pleasures. We have to give up everything to inherit the treasure. Jesus said even sacrificing our right eye or right arm is worth it. “Go ... sell...give... and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mk. 10:21).
It is not just money and materials that we have to give up. It is “all”. It is our pride, our ego, comforts, anger, ambitions and a truck load of things (or sins). Give up before you make a fool of yourself. You really have to say bye-bye to a lot of things in life. By faith Moses forsook Egypt. If the treasure is our focus, sacrifice will become easy. Think of this man fighting for a mud pot. Think of king Solomon fighting for a goat with his neighbour. Nothing could be more silly. But that’s exactly how we behave. “May God give us the wisdom to hold things lightly, to let things go, to give our attention to things that last forever,” said Elizabeth Elliot. If this man had not paid the price he would not have become the proud owner of the treasure. Many of us are dangerously close to losing the treasure.
Alert ! It is time to start living differently. Less luggage, more comfort, make travel a pleasure. You don’t have to live like a hermit but lead as simple a life as possible.
Life is no more than a brief flash quickly forgotten. Years fly by. We are tumbling towards the end of our life. One fine morning we’ll find ourselves staring into eternity. The treasure is tantalizingly sparkling yonder. Go on your journey joyfully shaking your tail feathers, singing a serenade. Sell all and buy it at any cost !
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
There was a very poor man who had no land of his own, who worked in his neighbour’s field. One day while tilling the land he hit metal. The surprised man examined the place and found a brass chest. Inside were diamonds, rubies, precious stones, gold and crores of rupees. His eyes popped out at the sight. He almost had a cardiac arrest. He looked around, covered it with soil and tried to walk casually whistling a tune, even as his heart was pounding wildly. He approached his neighbour to negotiate the price of the field. The unwilling neighbour demanded an enormous and unfair price. The man set about to buy the field. He sold his hut, few cattle, the rice bags in his house stored for a year and whatever he could. People called him a fool. Finally he brought the sum and laid it at the feet of his neighbour. The deal was clinched. His smile could have lit up the night sky. He was the proud owner of the treasure! (Mt 13:44).
Here’s a hair-raising story from the Bible pregnant with lessons for us. First of all it speaks of the Kingdom of God as a HIDDEN treasure in a field. The field is the world. The kingdom of God is in the world, yet hidden. Many see it, yet don’t find it. It is not seen with the eyes, but with the heart. Jesus said, “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given .... seeing they do not see” (Mt 13:11-13).
Oh, how the eyes of men rove around the world and its things. The cut-throat competitive world, bulging bank balance, lucrative job, luxuries, TV, health, beauty, possessions - all cast their impressive shadow across the landscape of christendom. We climb the greasy pole of success, hatch great and ambitious schemes and pursue mirages. We dance to the earn-and-spend, spend-and-earn lusty rhythm. We bounce back and forth between church and cine shows living a double life. Everyday we sink deeper into the mire of materialism. The world fogs our eye from seeing the imperishable Kingdom the treasure box that will never go dry. It is all the more serious when those who have discovered the trove, forget it and go after the world as if they are paupers. This is a tinsel world too glamorous to be ignored. It can pull us down in an alligator death roll... But the treasure is under the soil, its glitter covered... We believers run after entertainment, fight for property and work overtime as if we are going to live on this planet eternally. The devil tells us that these are a must in life. That’s a lie from the pit of hell. Shajahan gave a grand feast to the workers who built the Tajmahal and then cut off their arms. Well, that’s what the devil does to those who aithfully serve him.
If our eyes have rally seen the treasure nothing can occupy our minds and hearts more. Jesus told Peter, “Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Mt 16:17). Think of this man tilling; ploughing and sowing in the field, as if this bonanza was not enough. Nobody can be a worse fool than him. But that’s exactly what we believers do. Modern life seems to require that we operate in top gear. That leaves us with no time for the treasure. The field becomes our world and we spend our entire life on it. John counsels us not to love the world or the things that are in the world. We have to break bonds with the world.
Many of us have not really understood the meaning of the word TREASURE. It makes the pauper a prince. Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither can one imagine what God has prepared for us. Yet we treat it lightly. Think of being invited to Ahaseurus’ banquet.
That’s nothing compared to the feast of the Lamb.
It is an eternity affair.
“A” man found. The Kingdom of heaven is about individual responsibility. The treasure is for each one to possess. It is our individual responsibility to find the treasure and keep it. We should learn to focus our attention on the plank in our own eye rather than meddling with the speck in the other persons’ eye. When two believers find themselves at each other’s throat and their voices clash like swords, atleast one should realize that it is his own responsibility to obey the Kingdom rules. If the action is bad the reaction need not be bad. If the other person loses his Christian virtues we need not follow suit into the same gutter. When someone goes out of the boundary in a game and you go there to catch him, you too are disqualified. I am accountable for what I say and do, even as a reaction. What goes inside us does not defile us. But what comes out of us has tremendous power either to stain or sanctify us. Be a minority among minority rather than follow the majority. Take care that you don’t go into hell holding on to somebody’s dirty feet.
What did this man do? He went, “for JOY over it”. This joy is ours. We have found the treasure. Let’s imagine this man returning home after discovering the treasure. He would go singing a jumping tune, dancing on his feet. If someone comes running to inform him that his only ox had fallen in a pit and died he would simply smile and say, “It’s OK”. If he hears his house was on fire, he would respond, “No problem”. This joy should seep into our entire life like tea from a tea-bag. Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy that was set before Him (Heb 12:2). His eyes were on the joy as He was hanging on the cross. Habbakuk had rightly understood the joy of salvation when he spoke of failure of his fig tree, olive plantation, fields, flock and herds and added, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the GOD OF MY SALVATION” (3:18).
He could go through so much tragedy with remarkable grace. No wonder Paul was jubilant inside the prison dreaming about his treasure. Let his joy rub off on you. He had understood perfectly that happiness is an attitude not a condition. We chase happiness when it’s waiting all around us. Quit blaming the world for the way your life has turned out. You have the power to change. Everything is a choice in life and happiness is a choice too.
Life is no walk in the park. Life sort of bites you. But your worries will roll off like water off a duck’s back if you dream about the riches and joys at the end of the road. Get lost in the dreams of the beyond and hereafter. Then you’ll feel like you’re flying. If it is difficult to find happiness in yourself it is difficult to find it anywhere else. Why is there a load of worry on our faces? Why do we get depressed? Don’t forget that we have found the treasure! Skip and dance seeing the rainbow and not the rain. Stop whining. Don’t let sorrow dominate your life. That may render you fruitless or lead to backsliding. Life does not have to be absolutely perfect to be wonderful. Always be singing, dancing, bubbling for the treasure you have found. We may lose everything in life but we still have the treasure. Then why worry? What has hijacked the music out of your life?
Paul counsels us to rejoice in the Lord and not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving make known to God. “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7). This anxiolytic formula will guard us from the ill effects of massive anxiety attacks and put to rest our darkest nightmares.
In real life we totter from crisis to crisis. Learn to see every crisis as an opportunity. Then life will turn out to be a thrill. There is nothing that life can toss at you that you and God together cannot tackle. Let your heart sing for joy. With Him by your side you can face the whole world.
Christians don’t laugh enough and we live in a time when laughter is absolutely important. What are you going through right now? Refuse to be undone. Take it to the Lord in prayer rejoicing. Then the joy that always seems to be dancing beyond your fingers will instantly become yours.
Finally, this man, “goes and SELLS all that he had and buys that field”. The treasure had not become his yet. He had to pay a price for it. He had to give up to get what he wanted, but compared to the value of the bounty the price he had to pay was peanuts. This is sacrifice. Sacrifice is not a popular buzzword these days. The treasure was free but not cheap. Many believers are out of mind. There is a dangerous lull in their spiritual lives. They still hold on to worldly things and wordly pleasures. We have to give up everything to inherit the treasure. Jesus said even
sacrificing our right eye or right arm is worth it. “Go ... sell...give... and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mk. 10:21).
It is not just money and materials that we have to give up. It is “all”. It is our pride, our ego, comforts, anger, ambitions and a truck load of things (or sins). Give up before you make a fool of yourself. You really have to say bye-bye to a lot of things in life. By faith Moses forsook Egypt. If the treasure is our focus, sacrifice will become easy. Think of this man fighting for a mud pot. Think of king Solomon fighting for a goat with his neighbour. Nothing could be more silly. But that’s exactly how we behave. “May God give us the wisdom to hold things lightly, to let things go, to give our attention to things that last forever,” said Elizabeth Elliot. If this man had not paid the price he would not have become the proud owner of the treasure. Many of us are dangerously close to losing the treasure.
Alert ! It is time to start living differently. Less luggage, more comfort, make travel a pleasure. You don’t have to live like a hermit but lead as simple a life as possible.
Life is no more than a brief flash quickly forgotten. Years fly by. We are tumbling towards the end of our life. One fine morning we’ll find ourselves staring into eternity. The treasure is tantalizingly sparkling yonder. Go on your journey joyfully
shaking your tail feathers, singing a serenade. Sell all and buy it at any cost ! instantly become yours.
Finally, this man, “goes and SELLS all that he had and buys that field”. The treasure had not become his yet. He had to pay a price for it. He had to give up to get what he wanted, but compared to the value of the bounty the price he had to pay was peanuts. This is sacrifice. Sacrifice is not a popular buzzword these days. The treasure was free but not cheap. Many believers are out of mind. There is a dangerous lull in their spiritual lives. They still hold on to worldly things and wordly pleasures. We have to give up everything to inherit the treasure. Jesus said even sacrificing our right eye or right arm is worth it. “Go ... sell...give... and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mk. 10:21).
It is not just money and materials that we have to give up. It is “all”. It is our pride, our ego, comforts, anger, ambitions and a truck load of things (or sins). Give up before you make a fool of yourself. You really have to say bye-bye to a lot of things in life. By faith Moses forsook Egypt. If the treasure is our focus, sacrifice will become easy. Think of this man fighting for a mud pot. Think of king Solomon fighting for a goat with his neighbour. Nothing could be more silly. But that’s exactly how we behave. “May God give us the wisdom to hold things lightly, to let things go, to give our attention to things that last forever,” said Elizabeth Elliot. If this man had not paid the price he would not have become the proud owner of the treasure. Many of us are dangerously close to losing the treasure.
Alert ! It is time to start living differently. Less luggage, more comfort, make travel a pleasure. You don’t have to live like a hermit but lead as simple a life as possible.
Life is no more than a brief flash quickly forgotten. Years fly by. We are tumbling towards the end of our life. One fine morning we’ll find ourselves staring into eternity. The treasure is tantalizingly sparkling yonder. Go on your journey joyfully shaking your tail feathers, singing a serenade. Sell all and buy it at any cost !
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
