03.06 The treasure found and hidden

VI. THE TREASURE FOUND AND HIDDEN When the treasure is found, the man hides it again. Why? In order that he may thoroughly secure his possession of it. Not till he has quietly and diligently sold all he has and bought the whole field is that security his. Thus when any sudden illumination or conversion comes, men are not to suppose that the treasure is at once and wholly their own. They are not there and then to drag it forth, to proclaim it upon the house-tops, to shout aloud their discovery of it. They are, on the contrary, rather to “hide” it to show their sense of its tremendous value by a reverent reserve. Then by diligent self-denial, by testing their sincerity, they are to buy up and bring under their control the whole field of their life and character. Then and then only can they dare to say that the newfound treasure is their own. Saul of Tarsus went from his conversion for three years into the deserts of Arabia.

TAGS: [Parables]