WHERE TO LAY UP YOUR TREASURE PART 3

In the last two studies, we have looked at two places where we ought to lay up our treasures. The first place is heaven as the Lord instructed in Mt 6: 19-20. We were admonished not to lay up treasure on the earth but rather lay up treasure  in heaven. We do that when we give alms to the poor and the needy, sow our time and efforts into the kingdom and do all works of charities.

We are also to lay up our treasure in our heart as we were instructed in Luke 6: 45. We laid up treasure in our hearts when we speak the word of faith, when we meditates on the word and as we renew our mind with the word of God.

It is not enough to know where to lay up treasure but it is of great importance if we know how we can take advantage of what we have stored up bith in heaven and in our hearts especially in times of need. We shouldn’t wait until we get into heaven before we start enjoying those things that we have stored up.

Mat 13:52 KJV Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

The Lord Jesus had spoken several parables to the disciples and afterwards asked them if they understood all and answered in the affirmative. This prompted the Lord to tell them another parable.

The word “scribe” there does not mean a Jewish teacher or a law teacher but He is talking about a disciple that is instructed in the truth about the gospel of the kingdom of God.

The Lord likened that disciple or that disciple should be like a householder who has a store of good things kept and then brings them out as the need arises or as occasion demands; as sickness, or calamity, or the wants of his family, or the poor require.

As the disciples had said that they had understood the truth, he says that it should not be unemployed. They should bring it forth in due time, like a householder bringing out of his treasury, or place of deposit, what had been laid up there at any time, as it was needed for the comfort of a family.

The householder brings our new and old – Things lately acquired, or things that had been laid up for a long time. So, Christ said the disciples ought to be. They should bring forth the truth, new or old, which they have gained, keep it not laid up and hidden, but bring it forth, in due season and on proper occasions, to benefit others. 

Every preacher should be properly instructed. Christ for three years gave instructions to the apostles; and they who preach should be able to understand the gospel, to defend it, and to communicate it to others. Human learning alone is indeed of no value to a minister; but all learning that will enable a man better to understand the Bible and communicate its truths is valuable, and should, if possible, be gained.

A minister should be like the father of a family – distributing to the church as it needs; and out of his treasures bringing forth truth to confirm the feeble, to enlighten the ignorant, and to recover and guide those who are in danger of straying away.

A small degree of knowledge is not sufficient for a preacher of the Gospel. The sacred writings should be his treasure, and he should properly understand them. His knowledge does not consist in being furnished with a great variety of human learning, (though of this he should acquire as much as he can;) but his knowledge consists in being well instructed in the things concerning the kingdom of heaven, and the art of conducting men thither. Again it is not enough for a man to have these advantages in possession: he must bring them forth, and distribute them abroad

WHAT ARE THE OTHER BENEFITS OF LAYING UP TREASURE

1. The Lord said moth, rust and thieves won’t have access to them, therefore they are safe and secured. The Lord watches over them day and night.
2. We shall be rewarded based on what we have done while in the flesh. 2Co 5:10 KJV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
3. We shall reap according to what we have sown. Gal 6:7 KJV Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
4. It helps to keep us from sinning. Psa 119:11 KJV Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
5. The stored words are sources of life and health. Pro 4:21-22 KJV 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
6. The stored word will help you overcome temptation. Luk 4:4 KJV And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Jesus quoted Deut 8:3 If he had not known it, He won’t be able to use it. Jesus thought God had to increase in wisdom Luke 2: 52. His mental capacity developed. He was instructed and had His physical mind educated, at 12 He was discoursing with the doctor of he law in the temple.
7. It will guide you to appropriately respond to situations. You will respond quickly and correctly if the word is already stored in you. The word is the determinant factor of what and what should not be. E.g Papa Oyedepo testimony about his wife that saw blood.Y our first response to a crisis or situation will go a long way to show whether you will overcome or not. If after you have expressed doubt you are now trying to muster faith, it may fail. 1Pe 3:15 KJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
8. It produces Rhema from the logo. The word of God in your mouth is a weapon. When it comes out of your mouth it becomes the sword of the spirit. Eph 6:17 KJV And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
9. The stored word will act as umpire and judge. It divides between what is of the spirit and what is of the soul. Heb 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
10. The Holy Spirit acts on stored word. The Lord said the Holy Spirit will bring back your remembrance. He can only do that based on what has been stored. Joh 14:26 KJV But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
11. You will speak wisdom. Pro 16:23 KJV The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
12. We will be guided in making requests from the Lord. Joh 15:7 KJV If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

CONCLUSION:Col 3:16 KJV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

That they were to lay up the doctrines of the gospel in their hearts, to meditate upon them; to allow them to be their guide, and to endeavor wisely to improve them to the best purpose. 

Here our apostle declares one special benefit which the Colossians would receive, by having the word of Christ dwell richly in them; it would enable them to teach and admonish one another, and also to excite and stir up the affections of each other, by singing those psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs therein contained, or such others as were composed by the inspiration and direction of the holy Spirit of God: