17. OUR TOPIC In this part of the programmewe are looking at the topic, “Parable of the Hidden Treasure” Matthew 13:44 (NCV) “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field.” This passage evidently refers to wealth of some kind Our attention is drawn to the fact that it is parable
18. PURPOSE OF THE TOPIC We are probing into this topic for the following reasons: Wealth is a contemporary issue which everyone is interested in We need to understand the true concept of wealth (Luke 12:15) Wealth commands power (Proverbs 22:7) We are not free until we are economically free We need wealth to make impact We need to empower ourselves
19. DEFINITION OF TERMS Two words are important to this discussion: Parable - a short moral or religious story intended to illustrate a moral or religious lesson What to look for, therefore, are the underlying principles in the story Treasure - could be jewels and precious objects often accumulated or hoarded - could be something of great value or worth - could be somebody highly valued or much loved
20. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PARABLE A second look at the text, Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field.” The above highlighted phrases are worth reflecting on.
21. BACKGROUND OF THE PARABLE In the Eastern World, possession of wealth was a source of great perplexity because of its insecurity Consequently, everyman was his own banker devising the means of concealing his wealth, eg. jewels, money, valuables, to avoid molestation Frequently some “bankers” would die before their time of intended return, the secrets of the “strong room” dying with them
22. BACKGROUND OF THE PARABLE CONT. Wars and pestilence deprived others from reaching their concealed treasures ever again with no one knowing where such treasures were hidden People were always ready to notice any indication of subterranean wealth, and to dig for it at the slightest opportunity Thus a man who discovers the place where a treasure is hidden keeps the discovery to himself, buys the field and eventually owns the treasure.
25. Treasures are: - Precious - Scarce - Expensive - not discovered easily on the surface John dryden said, “Errors, like Straws, upon the surface flow; he who would search for Pearls must dive below.” - applied for the improvement of the world around us
26. THE FOCUS OF THIS TOPIC CONT. ANDREW CARNEGIE, the Steel Magnate and Philanthropist once said, “As an end, the acquisition of wealth is ignoble in the extreme; I assume that you save and long for wealth only as a means of enabling you the better to do some good in your day and generation.” - guarantee from freedom Another man, Carl Sandburg said, “Money is power: so said one Money is a cushion: so said another Money is the root of evil: so said still another Money means freedom: so runs an old saying”
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28. THE CHALLENGE Wealth is about the ability to recognize and discover. One must be hungry, observant, industrious and opportunist. Thirst for wealth comes when you discover yourself, your eyes are Opened and you possess a holy anger to get out of the rot. You will then dash out like a hungry lion and seek what belongs to you until you find it. It calls for: Discovery of your Source Self-discovery – do you know who you are? (Numbers 13, 14) “We are where we are, and what we are, because of our conduct”– Napoleon Hills
29. THE CHALLENGE CONT. - What lies in us is greater than what we can see - Who am I? Genesis 1:26; Psalm 139:14; 1Peter 2:9-10 - What’s my purpose here? Acts 13:36 - How do people see me? - How does God see me? Genesis 28:15, Isaiah 49:15-16a, 43:1-4; Psalm 91:15; Matthew 28:20 - How do I see myself? Proverbs 23:7; Psalm 23:4 Recognizing the treasure - Treasures are always hidden Proverbs 25:2 “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”- Ann Landers
30. THE CHALLENGE CONT. Recognize that you are the treasure - likes Moses was - like Joseph was - like David was - like Jesus was - like you (woman) are Proverbs18:22 - like you (brethren) are 11 Corinthians 4:7 how hungry are you to discover the treasure in you? how much are you willing to pay to discover your treasure? The world is available for you to manifest (Romans 8:19)
31. CHARGE AND CONCLUSION You were born wealthy, arise and take your place Search yourself: you are more than this There is a treasure in you You're a dynamite going somewhere to explode You're a miracle walking on two legs The world wants to hear your story Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the lord is risen upon you. You will succeed!
32. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TPL. TOYIN AYINDE CHAIRMAN, ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES OF NIGERIA (APBN) LAGOS STATE CHAPTER 0803 – 301 – 3849 toyinayinde@yahoo.co.uk www.toyinayindeassociates.com
33. REFERENCES JAMES M. FREEMAN : MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLE TOYIN AYINDE : DISCOVERING ONESELF TOYIN AYINDE : KEYS TO KINGDOM TREASURES AND WEALTH TOYIN AYINDE : LAWS OF WEALTH MULTIPLICATION TOYIN AYINDE : CHOICE OF PROFESSIONAL CAREER
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