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| Vol. 12 No. 10 October 2010 | Page 14 |
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| Vol. 12 No. 10 October 2010 | Page 14 |
The Importance of the Scriptures
Mark McWhorter
Some people that say they believe in the Bible also state that it is really not that important to read and learn all one can from it. These people will say that it is not really important to follow the commands and regulations it contains.
Psalm 119 has 176 verses. There are 176 references to the written Word of God in this Psalm. The Psalm has 28 admonitions to “keep” the Word. The Psalm refers to “law,” “precepts,” “statutes,” “commandments,” “judgments,” “testimonies” and “word.”
This Psalm talks about the rewards of keeping the Word. The Psalm talks about the desire to keep the Word. The Psalm writer asked for help in keeping the Word.
Psalm 119 should be read by those that think the Scriptures are not that important. It is a marvelous record by an inspired writer teaching us to make the Scriptures a priority in our lives.
Study the Bible. Learn all you can from it. Always keep it as the highest priority in your life, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
David A. Sargent
On November 16, 1992, Eric Hawes, a metal-detecting enthusiast, was asked to help a local farmer find his hammer, which had been lost in a field. Using his metal detector, Hawes found something else instead: coins and other gold and silver objects. He immediately recognized it as something valuable, so he reported to the Suffolk County Council, owners of the land. The Suffolk Archaeological Unit professionally removed the contents on the following day. The collection is now in the British Museum. The find consisted of “15,000 gold and silver coins, gold jewelry and numerous small items of silver tableware, including pepper pots, ladles and spoons” (www.britishmuseum.org).
It is estimated that this Roman treasure, better known as the Hoxne (pronounced ‘Hoxon’) Hoard, was buried around 407-408 A.D. as Roman rule in Britain was deteriorating. It may have been hidden due to the political turmoil of the time. The hoard had been buried in a wooden box that had long since rotted away. The careful burial of this treasure probably means that the owner intended to come back and recover it later, but for whatever reason was unable to do so.
It was thus declared “treasure trove,” that is, objects of gold or silver that had been hidden with the intention of recovery but for which the original owner could not be found. Such discovery is to be reported to the police and subject to a coroner’s inquest. If the find is declared treasure trove, it reverts to the British Crown and can be acquired by a museum on payment of a sum equal to its full market value. This amount, then, is passed on to the finder as a reward. The British Museum purchased the treasure and a reward was paid to Hawes. Hawes gave the hammerless farmer, Peter Whatling, half of the 1.75 million British pounds paid him.
The Hoxne Hoard Treasure, however, is not the greatest treasure! Listen to the words of Jesus. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). The greatest treasure is to be a part of the kingdom of heaven, for therein are the greater, spiritual and eternal blessings!
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, gave His life on the cross to pay the price for the sins of the world (Ephesians 1:7). Those who accept His offer of salvation through trusting faith (Acts 16:30-31), repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confession of His name before men (Romans 10:9-10) and baptism (immersion) into Christ (Acts 2:38) have their sins washed away by His blood and are added to the kingdom of Christ, the church (Acts 2:41, 47; Colossians 1:13).
Jesus died in order to purchase His kingdom (see Acts 20:28). It is worth much more than any sacrifice that we might make in order to be a part of His kingdom! Won’t you trust and obey the King of kings so that you can have True Treasure?
Eric Hawes shared his treasure. Won’t you share the true treasure of Christ and His kingdom with others? Why not share living water (John 4:10-11; 7:38) with someone today?