Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Matthew 13:51-52
Jesus is sharing the last of the “Mysteries of the Kingdom” parables. He concludes by talking about a homeowner and his treasure. This man is compared to a student or a scribe. Scribes had various jobs in the Old Testament and the New Testament including copying manuscripts, teaching the Torah, working in the Temple, advising political leaders, working in science fields, and writing letters. They were students of these areas and studied books and language consistently to be able to perform these functions.
When Jesus says the man is a householder who pulls from his treasure, he is speaking of a man who is studying, learning, growing, accumulating wisdom and knowledge who then will share that wisdom and knowledge with others. The man is a “Bookworm for Jesus.”
The word “treasure” is a term we are familiar with. “Treasure” (θησαυρός) is “Thesaurus” in our language. A Thesaurus is similar in some ways to a dictionary. A Thesaurus is a collection of words that are organized in a systematic way to identify synonyms and antonyms to learn language and concepts. Words and concepts are treasures! Bible teaching is a treasure. Truth is a treasure.
You do not need to carry a paper or digital Thesauruswith you each day – you are the Thesaurus! This homeowner man is responsible to “bring forth,” disiminate, and apply old and new Bible concepts to everyday life.
Here are some helps to “Train Like a Scribe” and to become a “Bookworm for Jesus.”
Read the Bible Daily.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11
Study the Scripture Personally.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:!5
Worship God Publicly.
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Psalm 22:22
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:!6
Engage with Others Consistently. (Small group)
Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13
Serve the Lord and Others Passionately.
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:24
Train Like a Scribe to become a Bookworm for Jesus and then make healthy applications of truth to your life each day.
EDC Christian 