if willing to be perfect, go, trading yours, that under you, coming into existence and presenting your self beggarly and possessing treasure in heaven and come follow me as my disciple.*
The treasure of the heart is a complex subject needed in this time. It is amazing when we look at scriptures in the Greek. This verse is usually translated in a way that it speaks of giving a condition of giving all your money away "then" following Christ. In this case the man could not because his heart was on his possessions, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."* If we translate this verse the usual way I believe it doesn't make sense in whole of other scriptures. It is about the condition of our heart and we see in the scriptures the concept of giving up the life of this world, becoming as a child to enter into the kingdom of God which speaks of humility and of being poor in this regard. But also as Jesus said we must enter the kingdom of God through being born anew of the Spirit. So we can not enter the kingdom of God through humility alone, nether can we enter by giving away all our earthly possessions. We can't earn our way, like working for a wage, nor can we buy entrance with earthly possessions. And we see the condition we must become disciples to follow Jesus. Greatness in the kingdom of God is not sowing and reaping to have treasure of earthly possessions but rewards in heaven. There are several conditions in this verse, let us look at them in context of other scriptures.
go, trade all you have coming into existence...
The first truth condition, trade, give up this earthly life for a new one, coming into existence. Being a new creation is very important in this condition. To enter the kingdom of God I must be born anew. I can not enter without this! There is a requirement of righteousness.* The law of faith states this is freely given by faith apart from works of the law. "Now, apart from the Law (attested by the Law and the prophets) the righteousness of God is revealed."* There was a righteousness by the Law which required for one to live by the Law.* But also there was a curse, if you broke one part, you broke it all, thus none were righteous, all had fallen short of the glory of God. "For Christ fulfills the law, to the extent righteousness for all who believe."* When we believe we are marked as His own, we enter the kingdom of God through the Spirit.* And receive grace and the gift of life and righteousness. I can sell all I have but if I do not enter through a new birth of the Spirit it is for nothing therefore what is important in this is the condition of my heart and its treasure. "For what profits a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his life? or what giving a person? giving in exchange for his life?"* I can not give money in exchange for this life, not to enter in nor as a condition of seeking it first, His kingdom and righteousness.
What earthly possession can I give in exchange for my life? nothing at all. What earthly possession can I give to enter heaven? nothing at all. So how do I give up my earthly life to enter heaven? how can I even conceive of such a thing? if I have not faith to see the things unseen? Such is the wisdom of God in Christ.
The last truth condition, come follow me as a disciple. Can I follow Jesus and not be a disciple? No, all conditions must be true. What good is it if I give away all my money and not be His disciple? The ones who sought Jesus for earthly reasons, they could not grasp what it meant to seek food that endures unto life. They walked away no longer following. I can't give my money to someone else to go make disciples, nor can I give my money for someone else to proclaim the gospel and at the same time neglect becoming his disciple. I can sell all my possessions and not become His disciple. And as a disciple we are called to suffer as he did, there is a proving, a testing of the genuineness of faith, a rite of passage into adulthood. Will I make sure of my calling to holiness and righteousness? Will I bear fruit? This is what seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness is about. Through knowledge of the Son we grow up, in which we are being conformed to the image of Jesus. He is our righteousness and in whom we will grow up to bear fruit of the kingdom of God; life and righteousness. Jesus said, "my father is glorified in this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."* What profit is it if I give away all my earthly possessions and do not become His disciple? There is a counting the costs in following Jesus, such is not meant to be easy, but the treasure is worth it. Do you think people would make it easy to follow Jesus? just for their earthly reward, of fame and fortune? Such truth Jesus gives us doesn't prevent those for the right reason from entering the kingdom of God but will point out the heart issue to those who try to enter falsely.
and whoever, to the extent of his disciples gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water I tell you the truth, he looses not his reward.*
What is a little one? What is the least of these? His brethren, "to the extent of his disciples." what is the treasure of heaven? food that endures unto life. I can find no scriptures related to outreach that requires me as his disciple to meet the need of someone of the world in regards to earthly food, this is is because their need is food that endures unto life. I do see scriptures related to ones that are His, and what I do to the least of these his brethren I do unto Him. I take especially good care of the household of faith, Paul writes. I do not want them to stumble in their walk. What reward do I seek if I help them? of God or men? If I love my neighbor, which implies my brother next to me, why would I overlook his need and at the same time provide to the world? Surely, my reward is not from God who sees all things. And what need does a disciple have? What kind of drink does he need? Where is the treasure of the heart of one seeking first Christ? living bread and living water that is real food and real drink that endures unto life. Jesus said, all these things would be provided, if we seek first that above. "Attentively look at the birds of air not sowing nor reaping nor gathering into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you more valuable than them?... but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you"* The primary focus of discipleship is on heavenly need and treasure, on food that endures unto life. Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, what food does he feed them? food that endures unto life. This is why the early church appointed deacons so the earthly needs of the church is met and more importantly the ministering of food that endures unto life, if we neglect this we will not bear fruit worthy of the kingdom of God.
Here are the conditions again in regards to the treasure of the heart, remember each one must be true for the whole to be true; trade the life of this world coming into existence, and present yourself beggarly, and lay up treasure in heaven, and come follow me as my disciple. This is the account in the gospel of Mathew of the last instructions of Jesus, "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all this I've charged to you..."* And this is the account in Luke "and repentance, the deliverance of sin is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations...* And this is the account in Mark, "go into the world proclaiming the gospel to all creation, the ones believing and baptized saved..."* And then John writes, the last instructions of Jesus to Peter, "feed my sheep."* I think my gift pertains to feeding the sheep, I'm a member of the body, not all are the same member. All the gifts are indispensable and given to build the body up in knowledge of the Son. Certainly, God chooses the sheep and the gift of evangelism compels one to find the lost sheep. But how can I outreach when I am still a baby sheep, looking dimly into truth of who I am? How can I preach of life and freedom when I am still not mature in keeping his words? And if I am but a child exalted before my time can I not be easily destroyed by wolfs or led astray by hireling shepherds? There is so much in this but we see the purpose, the vision; the body grows up in knowledge of Jesus, becoming mature, into the full measure of the stature of His image. Simple put we become Christians, Christ like.
What is seeking first the kingdom of God about? making disciples and baptizing and teaching to keep His word and proclaiming repentance and the deliverance of sin and proclaiming the gospel and feeding His sheep. Can we pick and choose only one? No, they are inclusive. And we honor them all, not giving glory to one gift alone. Paul writes, from the heart they were committed to the teachings of baptism, being set free from sin and indebted to righteousness.* What is the commitment of baptism without the teachings? John writes, the love of God is perfected in us when we keep His word.* How can one keep his word if they do not know of perfection,of growth in truth and love which bears fruit of keeping his words? It is the abiding in truth, knowing truth, in which freedom comes. There are teachings about righteousness.* There are teachings about repentance. There are teachings about the forgiveness of sin. There is feeding the sheep, which goal is about growth of the body to become like Jesus, a process which roots the children in faith and love and matures them so they bear fruit keeping His words, as Jesus said, Go, teach them to keep my words. We know through the teachings of Paul, that we are predestined for this purpose; to be conformed to the image of Christ. What purpose is the good works if we neglect being conformed to the image of Christ? This is the mystery, Christ in us, and this is the Light in us, in whom we grow up in knowledge, receiving treasure from heaven in all wisdom and understanding that is in Christ Jesus. Where is your treasure? to know Christ? This is what I have committed my heart to, and to seeking food that endures unto life. To know Him, to throw off anything that builds itself up against knowledge of Him, in whom God makes known His wisdom, that which He purposed in the beginning, a treasure hidden given to us in the present time.
go, trade all you have coming into existence...
The first truth condition, trade, give up this earthly life for a new one, coming into existence. Being a new creation is very important in this condition. To enter the kingdom of God I must be born anew. I can not enter without this! There is a requirement of righteousness.* The law of faith states this is freely given by faith apart from works of the law. "Now, apart from the Law (attested by the Law and the prophets) the righteousness of God is revealed."* There was a righteousness by the Law which required for one to live by the Law.* But also there was a curse, if you broke one part, you broke it all, thus none were righteous, all had fallen short of the glory of God. "For Christ fulfills the law, to the extent righteousness for all who believe."* When we believe we are marked as His own, we enter the kingdom of God through the Spirit.* And receive grace and the gift of life and righteousness. I can sell all I have but if I do not enter through a new birth of the Spirit it is for nothing therefore what is important in this is the condition of my heart and its treasure. "For what profits a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his life? or what giving a person? giving in exchange for his life?"* I can not give money in exchange for this life, not to enter in nor as a condition of seeking it first, His kingdom and righteousness.
What earthly possession can I give in exchange for my life? nothing at all. What earthly possession can I give to enter heaven? nothing at all. So how do I give up my earthly life to enter heaven? how can I even conceive of such a thing? if I have not faith to see the things unseen? Such is the wisdom of God in Christ.
Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
It cannot be bought for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed as its price.*
We do see Jesus give a hindurance to entering the kingdom of God, in regards to the treasure of the heart. "How can you believe receiving glory from men and seeking not the praise that comes from God."* The command is to believe and how can they when they seek, even religiously, the things of this earth. It is like they are trying to appease God through works, giving money. But the heart is exposed in that they do it in front of other people. In context we see Jesus relate the treasure of the heart to the expectation of their reward. Where do you expect the reward? The people did good works for the reward of men. So that was their treasure, Jesus said, earthly reward. So we ask where is your reward? is it on earth or in heaven? This is very telling of the treasure of your heart. The life of this world or life that endures forever? Is your focus on laboring for earthly food or for food that endures unto life? The treasure of earth is fading, moth destroys clothing, food spoils, and thieves steal my money and some will to persecute and destroy my body. Is your treasure of earthly value? Gold is not valuable in heaven, the streets are paved of gold, and the gates made of pearls. The treasure of the life of this world is of these possessions, this is what the world seeks, but this is not valuable in heaven, so we do not seek it. God provides for our needs and we give unto Caesar what is his. You can not seek earthly possessions and serve God. And if your heart is earthly focused you can't appease God by giving away all, nor giving ninety percent, nor by giving ten percent of your earthly possessions.
and presenting yourself beggarly...
The second truth condition, the true treasure comes from God. This requires a dependency on Him. I can not buy or work for righteousness and the true treasures of heaven. There is a laboring for true treasure but unlike laboring for earthly bread. There are treasures from the riches of His grace and glory, like adoption, redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The love of God is a treasure, which I know of because he first gave this treasure to me. How can you give up something for something you do not know of? It is a true blessing to find treasure that is valuable above the life of this world. "The kingdom of heaven is treasure hidden in a field that a man finds hidden and from his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys this field."* The man first found treasure, and was joyful to give up what he had to have this new treasure. This is referring to where the treasure of my heart is. What do I value most, that heavenly or earthly? Can I buy the heavenly, no, so what must I sell in order to possess this treasure? First, it must be of value to me, it must be treasure. Second, what I give up in exchange for this new found treasure, is the life of this world. "For whoever wants to save his life will loose it and whoever loses his life will save it."*
This body of sinful nature represents the world and its desires, I must give it up to follow Jesus, I must present it a living sacrifice which speaks of our reasonable service and calling to holiness, to seek first His righteousness. Is there any greater service? Can I exchange this for giving money? And if someone says there is, saying giving money is to seek first His righteousness then what are they? The kingdom of God is like a farmer planting seed and the devil at night plants weeds among them. What is the purpose of the weeds? to choke them out so they do not grow. Anything that neglects this growing up in knowledge of the Son is not of God. There are two types of lives, an earthly one and a heavenly one. Where is the treasure of your heart? In context of treasure of the heart, Jesus said the eye is the lamp into the inward, and if the eye is dark the whole of the inward is darkness.* Your heart is where you have your eyes. Are your eyes fixed on Jesus or the things of this world? Are you being choked out by anxiety, riches, wrong others have done to you? Are you doing good works for people to see or is your reward from God? If the eye is focused on earthly rewards it is dark. If my eye is on earthly things then I am in darkness. If I do not love my brother I am in darkness.* Hypocrisy attempts to "mask" the treasure of the heart in false sacrificial works. An example is providing worldly goods to strangers in the name of Jesus but not helping the brother right next to them whose in earthly need. This is darkness, no matter how you try to mask it, it is people doing good works for people to see and indicates the true focus of the heart.
The people who followed Jesus after miraculous seeing signs of healing and Jesus feeding thousands from five loaves and two fish they wanted to make him an earthly king, he knows their hearts and escapes up into the mountains.* They continued seeking him across the sea because they wanted earthly prosperity. Jesus exposes the treasure of their heart, they did not care about seeking first the kingdom and His righteousness, they wanted earthly rewards and thought he would provide it. We are all guilty of such a heart, what earthly blessings will we receive from following Jesus. But such a heart is exposed in the trials, in persecution, in the testing of the genuineness of our faith. Where is my heart, will it give up the life of this world and follow Jesus becoming his disciple, even if you loose all your earthly possessions, find out you have cancer, if persecuted? "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."* The trial proves the treasure of the heart.
God disciplines his children, they are blessed in the persecution, as in the earthly trials there is a proving, and when we receive the blessings in wisdom from God which produces endurance whose work is maturity, we share in His character. We are being conformed to the image of His Son. The parable of sowing refers to the joy of the one who has received, like treasure found. Some who find this do not abide or continue, so they do not continue to think it is treasure, the weeds of the devil, like the deceit of earthly riches choke them out.* Now, who are these scriptures for in regards to the treasure of the heart? To those lost they are slaves to the sinful nature and fleshly desires, they need to find treasure, they need to believe. But believers, the ones who have received, the devil is there to defeat, through doctrines and traditions that keep them children. These need this truth, to abide is to know the truth and to overcome. Jesus is the Vine in which we bear fruit. The persistence of seeking bread from heaven is needed. What was the treasure found? The word of God, "for you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."*
and possessing treasure in heaven...
The third truth condition, lay up treasures in heaven. In context of the treasure of their hearts, Jesus exposes their treasure. "Give heed to this, do not do good works before others to be seen by them otherwise you possess no reward from your Father in heaven."* Jesus called these people who sought earthly rewards hypocrites, they prayed, fasted, and gave away their money to be seen by others, so that they received praised from men.* Wow, a whole religious system that pretends to know God and does good works to be seen by men. But they were still fleshly, the reward they sought was earthly, the praise from men. Why is this important to understand? Because the righteous live by faith. Seeking praise of men and not God is against faith, "how can you believe receiving glory from men and seeking not the praise that comes from God."* And Jesus warns of the focus on earthly rewards as if from God, many will think they will go to heaven by their good works.
"Do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing when you give, not in front of others, do it in secret so your Father in heaven rewards you."* Pray in secret so your Father in heaven rewards you.* Possession of the treasures of heaven is by faith, thus it begins by seeking food that endures unto life. If you seek possessions of this earth and reward on this earth then the treasure of your heart is of the life of this world. And to change such a seeking of earthly rewards into a religious system is hypocrisy. Certainly, we are warned greedy men would enter to take you captive, appealing to your fleshly nature, like that of rewards here on earth. They will tickle your ears, not wanting you to grow up in truth. A bewitching occurs like a pyramid scheme of the world which convinces people to give into it while they at the top benefit and become wealthy off of you. The hypocrisy of such a system is that they "mask" where the treasure of their heart is through religious good works. But if you seek reward here, "you possess no reward from your Father in heaven." If you give and expect back an earthly reward then your reward is not in heaven. It is a profound statement and defines that the treasure of the heart is seen in where the expectation of the reward is.
"Do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing when you give, not in front of others, do it in secret so your Father in heaven rewards you."* Pray in secret so your Father in heaven rewards you.* Possession of the treasures of heaven is by faith, thus it begins by seeking food that endures unto life. If you seek possessions of this earth and reward on this earth then the treasure of your heart is of the life of this world. And to change such a seeking of earthly rewards into a religious system is hypocrisy. Certainly, we are warned greedy men would enter to take you captive, appealing to your fleshly nature, like that of rewards here on earth. They will tickle your ears, not wanting you to grow up in truth. A bewitching occurs like a pyramid scheme of the world which convinces people to give into it while they at the top benefit and become wealthy off of you. The hypocrisy of such a system is that they "mask" where the treasure of their heart is through religious good works. But if you seek reward here, "you possess no reward from your Father in heaven." If you give and expect back an earthly reward then your reward is not in heaven. It is a profound statement and defines that the treasure of the heart is seen in where the expectation of the reward is.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths also eat removing from sight, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."* Where is the true treasure and its reward? Stored up in heaven. Therefore, the kingdom of God and His righteousness is about sowing and reaping the treasure of heaven. If I sow into the flesh I reap corruption but if I sow into the Spirit I reap life. Therefore we see it is not earthly but spiritual. If I give my money away is this an indication of the treasure of my heart being in heaven? surely it is a fine sounding argument. We want to never take scripture out of context, using scriptures in any way that perverts the gospel. There is a difference between one who preaches the gospel and one who perverts it for selfish gain.* When we seek to bring a brother back who strays from the truth, this covers a multitude of sin.* But I do not continue to associate with a brother who will not return to God.* The gospel is a precious treasure given to men from above, it is to be treasured not perverted, distorted, nor stained by those who seek earthly things.
Think about it, if I say sowing money will cause me to reap treasure of this world then the focus is not on heavenly rewards but things here on earth and I follow Jesus for earthly blessings. Where is the expectation of my reward? I sow to receive a reward here on earth. This is earthly focused, no matter how I try to justify it. As Jesus explained the expectation of where the reward is, reflects the treasure of my heart. If the reward is expected on earth, then the treasure of your heart is earthly. I can not "mask" this condition by giving some, a little, or most of my money away. I can't say I am blessed to bless others if my heart is focused on earthly rewards. What it says is the reward sought is that on earth. For example, I give money therefore I will be rewarded 30, 60, or 100% here on earth in earthly possessions then my expectation is on earthly rewards. If I give money or earthly food in front of others so people praise me then I have my reward. There is powerful understanding in dealing with the issue of the treasure of the heart. Why do I follow Jesus? Out of it comes wisdom into true serving, like as Jesus we serve from favor, and to please our heavenly Father, not men. Out of it comes confidence, when our eyes are set on Jesus, on things unseen not of this world, it doesn't matter what other people say or think.
and come follow me as my disciple...Think about it, if I say sowing money will cause me to reap treasure of this world then the focus is not on heavenly rewards but things here on earth and I follow Jesus for earthly blessings. Where is the expectation of my reward? I sow to receive a reward here on earth. This is earthly focused, no matter how I try to justify it. As Jesus explained the expectation of where the reward is, reflects the treasure of my heart. If the reward is expected on earth, then the treasure of your heart is earthly. I can not "mask" this condition by giving some, a little, or most of my money away. I can't say I am blessed to bless others if my heart is focused on earthly rewards. What it says is the reward sought is that on earth. For example, I give money therefore I will be rewarded 30, 60, or 100% here on earth in earthly possessions then my expectation is on earthly rewards. If I give money or earthly food in front of others so people praise me then I have my reward. There is powerful understanding in dealing with the issue of the treasure of the heart. Why do I follow Jesus? Out of it comes wisdom into true serving, like as Jesus we serve from favor, and to please our heavenly Father, not men. Out of it comes confidence, when our eyes are set on Jesus, on things unseen not of this world, it doesn't matter what other people say or think.
My heart and my treasure is shown in the expectation of where my reward is, in heaven or on earth. I am to lay up treasure in heaven and the treasure of heaven moths can't eat it and food doesn't perish nor can thieves steal it. The reason I follow Jesus, is a reflection of the condition of my heart, as Jesus said to these who followed him for earthly reasons, "do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures unto life..."* Jesus offers the world food that endures unto life. Think about it... Does He require me to give earthly possessions in return for this food? To pass around an offering plate to give earthly money in exchange for eternal life? Or because the minister feeds me eternal food I will feed the minister earthly food? I agree with Paul on the matter, it is a stumbling block to many people, so I will work with my hands like they to provide for my earthly needs. Like the birds of the air, I will trust God to provide. Jesus said they studied the scriptures thinking they had life, but the word of God did not abide in their heart and here is the Word of God before them and they refuse to eat of it.* Why? What was the cause of their unbelief? The word of God and love of God did not abide in them. Why? they sought the praise of men and not God. Their heart was earthly focused, not of faith which exist things unseen. "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, either devoted to one and despise the other. Do not serve God and possessions."*
If the eye causes you to stumble, it would be better to pluck it out and live this life with one eye than be thrown in hell fire.* The eye is the lamp Jesus said, if it is focused on earthly possessions it would be better to sell all I have and be poor in this life then to enter into hell fire. It is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven because of his earthly possessions. If I save the life of this world, I loose the eternal life. And what profit is there, if I gain the whole world and am thrown into hell fire? This is truth. Also it is truth I can not enter into the kingdom of God by giving away my earthly possessions. I must deal with the issue of the heart. I must believe and enter by being born anew, of the Spirit. That which is of the flesh and the earthly will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The eye is the lamp unto the heart, where the focus of my eye is, that is where the treasure of my heart is, if my reward is here on earth my treasure is here also. Giving money, earthly possessions, unrighteous mammon, is not an indication of my heart toward him, no, it is giving up the life of this world, coming into existence a new creation, laying up treasure in heaven and becoming his disciple. "If anyone wills to come after me, deny self and remove his cross and follow me as a disciple."* If my heart is on earthly possessions, money, then I need to cut that off and remove this cross and follow Him becoming his disciple. Many followed him for earthly reasons, for a while...
If the eye causes you to stumble, it would be better to pluck it out and live this life with one eye than be thrown in hell fire.* The eye is the lamp Jesus said, if it is focused on earthly possessions it would be better to sell all I have and be poor in this life then to enter into hell fire. It is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven because of his earthly possessions. If I save the life of this world, I loose the eternal life. And what profit is there, if I gain the whole world and am thrown into hell fire? This is truth. Also it is truth I can not enter into the kingdom of God by giving away my earthly possessions. I must deal with the issue of the heart. I must believe and enter by being born anew, of the Spirit. That which is of the flesh and the earthly will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The eye is the lamp unto the heart, where the focus of my eye is, that is where the treasure of my heart is, if my reward is here on earth my treasure is here also. Giving money, earthly possessions, unrighteous mammon, is not an indication of my heart toward him, no, it is giving up the life of this world, coming into existence a new creation, laying up treasure in heaven and becoming his disciple. "If anyone wills to come after me, deny self and remove his cross and follow me as a disciple."* If my heart is on earthly possessions, money, then I need to cut that off and remove this cross and follow Him becoming his disciple. Many followed him for earthly reasons, for a while...
The last truth condition, come follow me as a disciple. Can I follow Jesus and not be a disciple? No, all conditions must be true. What good is it if I give away all my money and not be His disciple? The ones who sought Jesus for earthly reasons, they could not grasp what it meant to seek food that endures unto life. They walked away no longer following. I can't give my money to someone else to go make disciples, nor can I give my money for someone else to proclaim the gospel and at the same time neglect becoming his disciple. I can sell all my possessions and not become His disciple. And as a disciple we are called to suffer as he did, there is a proving, a testing of the genuineness of faith, a rite of passage into adulthood. Will I make sure of my calling to holiness and righteousness? Will I bear fruit? This is what seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness is about. Through knowledge of the Son we grow up, in which we are being conformed to the image of Jesus. He is our righteousness and in whom we will grow up to bear fruit of the kingdom of God; life and righteousness. Jesus said, "my father is glorified in this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."* What profit is it if I give away all my earthly possessions and do not become His disciple? There is a counting the costs in following Jesus, such is not meant to be easy, but the treasure is worth it. Do you think people would make it easy to follow Jesus? just for their earthly reward, of fame and fortune? Such truth Jesus gives us doesn't prevent those for the right reason from entering the kingdom of God but will point out the heart issue to those who try to enter falsely.
and whoever, to the extent of his disciples gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water I tell you the truth, he looses not his reward.*
What is a little one? What is the least of these? His brethren, "to the extent of his disciples." what is the treasure of heaven? food that endures unto life. I can find no scriptures related to outreach that requires me as his disciple to meet the need of someone of the world in regards to earthly food, this is is because their need is food that endures unto life. I do see scriptures related to ones that are His, and what I do to the least of these his brethren I do unto Him. I take especially good care of the household of faith, Paul writes. I do not want them to stumble in their walk. What reward do I seek if I help them? of God or men? If I love my neighbor, which implies my brother next to me, why would I overlook his need and at the same time provide to the world? Surely, my reward is not from God who sees all things. And what need does a disciple have? What kind of drink does he need? Where is the treasure of the heart of one seeking first Christ? living bread and living water that is real food and real drink that endures unto life. Jesus said, all these things would be provided, if we seek first that above. "Attentively look at the birds of air not sowing nor reaping nor gathering into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you more valuable than them?... but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you"* The primary focus of discipleship is on heavenly need and treasure, on food that endures unto life. Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, what food does he feed them? food that endures unto life. This is why the early church appointed deacons so the earthly needs of the church is met and more importantly the ministering of food that endures unto life, if we neglect this we will not bear fruit worthy of the kingdom of God.
Here are the conditions again in regards to the treasure of the heart, remember each one must be true for the whole to be true; trade the life of this world coming into existence, and present yourself beggarly, and lay up treasure in heaven, and come follow me as my disciple. This is the account in the gospel of Mathew of the last instructions of Jesus, "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all this I've charged to you..."* And this is the account in Luke "and repentance, the deliverance of sin is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations...* And this is the account in Mark, "go into the world proclaiming the gospel to all creation, the ones believing and baptized saved..."* And then John writes, the last instructions of Jesus to Peter, "feed my sheep."* I think my gift pertains to feeding the sheep, I'm a member of the body, not all are the same member. All the gifts are indispensable and given to build the body up in knowledge of the Son. Certainly, God chooses the sheep and the gift of evangelism compels one to find the lost sheep. But how can I outreach when I am still a baby sheep, looking dimly into truth of who I am? How can I preach of life and freedom when I am still not mature in keeping his words? And if I am but a child exalted before my time can I not be easily destroyed by wolfs or led astray by hireling shepherds? There is so much in this but we see the purpose, the vision; the body grows up in knowledge of Jesus, becoming mature, into the full measure of the stature of His image. Simple put we become Christians, Christ like.
What is seeking first the kingdom of God about? making disciples and baptizing and teaching to keep His word and proclaiming repentance and the deliverance of sin and proclaiming the gospel and feeding His sheep. Can we pick and choose only one? No, they are inclusive. And we honor them all, not giving glory to one gift alone. Paul writes, from the heart they were committed to the teachings of baptism, being set free from sin and indebted to righteousness.* What is the commitment of baptism without the teachings? John writes, the love of God is perfected in us when we keep His word.* How can one keep his word if they do not know of perfection,of growth in truth and love which bears fruit of keeping his words? It is the abiding in truth, knowing truth, in which freedom comes. There are teachings about righteousness.* There are teachings about repentance. There are teachings about the forgiveness of sin. There is feeding the sheep, which goal is about growth of the body to become like Jesus, a process which roots the children in faith and love and matures them so they bear fruit keeping His words, as Jesus said, Go, teach them to keep my words. We know through the teachings of Paul, that we are predestined for this purpose; to be conformed to the image of Christ. What purpose is the good works if we neglect being conformed to the image of Christ? This is the mystery, Christ in us, and this is the Light in us, in whom we grow up in knowledge, receiving treasure from heaven in all wisdom and understanding that is in Christ Jesus. Where is your treasure? to know Christ? This is what I have committed my heart to, and to seeking food that endures unto life. To know Him, to throw off anything that builds itself up against knowledge of Him, in whom God makes known His wisdom, that which He purposed in the beginning, a treasure hidden given to us in the present time.