HIDDEN TREASURES

Proverbs 2:4 (KJV)

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

I know that I have told the story of one of the young men who was in our youth group, back in the day Anita and I lead a youth group.

He was from a family that struggled financially.

His dad had always jumped from job to job. They had moved around a lot, and they just did not have much.

He wanted to be different.

And he was obsessed with becoming rich.

It’s all he could talk about almost.

And yet he also felt guilty. He would constantly ask me if I thought it was a sin to be rich.

That young man passed away last year.

He never got rich, in fact, he almost never even worked.

His mom and dad eventually separated and Loy lived with his dad until he died.

The very first verse in the Proverbs that “hints” at the subject of money, speaks of seeking something with the same passion as you might seek a hidden treasure.

There are treasures more valuable than silver and gold.

But it isn’t necessarily wrong to seek for silver and gold either.

I want to break away from the book of Proverbs for the rest of the lesson and give you three biblical reasons to seek at least some “silver and gold.”

I. TO CARE FOR OUR FAMILY

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

When I hear the word treasure I almost automatically associate it with two things

·   Unbelievable wealth and

·   Not having to work for it

From a Biblical point of view,

·   A person doesn’t need more wealth than they need and

·   It is wrong to try to get without working for it

But everyone ought to seek enough “treasure” to provide for his family.

There are three things I think the Bible teaches are involved in having enough to provide for a family:

A. Gaining a skill

Acts 18:1-3 (KJV)

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

As I understand it, the custom was that, even those who had educations in Israel were also taught a trade.

Paul was trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel, one of the most famous teachers of the day.

But he also had the skill of tent making.

A wise person learns a skill.

He or she trains how to do something that earns money.

I think that requires forethought and begins at a young age, but it doesn’t have to end there.

Anyone at any age can choose to learn how to do something that earns an honest income.

B. Going to Work

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV)

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Once you have a skill you have to engage in the work.

Doesn’t matter what you know how to do – you have to do it to make money.

C. Spending in Moderation

Philippians 4:5 (KJV)

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

I know that money isn’t specifically addressed in this passage, but the principle applies nonetheless.

Don’t spend what you don’t have.

The second reason to “seek treasure” is

II. TO CARE FOR THE NEEDY

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Our government has taken it upon themselves to tax us in order to meet the needs of those in need and by so doing have accomplished two things:

·   They give without appropriate accountability

·   They have rendered the average person less able to be a help to those in need

Still, we ought not use that as an excuse not to do what we can by:

·   Giving what we can give and

·   Holding those we give to accountable to improve their situation

Finally Christians ought to “seek treasure”

III. TO CARE FOR THE MINISTRY

Philippians 4:10-19 (KJV)

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Just a few things I notice here:

A. They gave when they could

Vs 10

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

B. They gave more than once

Vs 16

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

C. They gave and God kept record

Vs 17

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Vs 19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

The question is not whether you should seek treasures. The question is:

·   What kind of treasure and

·   For what purpose