Chapter # 6 Paragraph # 5 Study # 32
June 8, 2008
Lincolnton, N.C.
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• I. Accumulating Treasure According to Knowledge.
  • A. In the analogy, Jesus declares that there is a correlation between "fruit harvesters" and "people".
    • 1. This correlation assumes that "people" and "fruit harvesters" both have sufficient motivation to "gather/pick".
    • 2. Though there are other factors, the correlation exists at one basic point: everyone "gathers/picks" according to someone's definition of "good".
  • B. In the analogy, Jesus begins at a most basic level of "knowledge".
    • 1. His analogy assumes a certain level of understanding, but it is pretty basic.
      • a. There are "people" whose level of ignorance is so great that they would do what Jesus says "they" do not do.
        • 1) No one comes into the world with enough "understanding" to be able to act by knowledge.
        • 2) Anyone who would not do what Jesus says they would not do has already been "schooled" by a sufficient amount of experience.
      • b. The "level" of Jesus' analogy is that no "gatherer" goes to a thorn bush looking for figs or to a bramble looking for grapes.
    • 2. His analogy, though allowing for the possibility of progression in the skills of "gathering/picking", means that once the very basics are in place, everyone is in the "hunt".
      • a. There are several "truisms" involved.
        • 1) Once a person begins to "live", there is no escape from "motivations".
        • 2) Once a person begins to "act", there is no escape from "downline harvesting".
        • 3) Once the "downline harvesting" gets to "critical mass", "eternal fixing" takes place.
      • b. All day, every day, everyone is "picking fruit".
  • C. In the analogy, the issue is the accumulation of treasure.
    • 1. Without dispute, there is "treasure" and there is "delusion".
      • a. The "treasure of the heart" of the "good" man is real treasure.
      • b. The "treasure of the heart" of the "evil" man is a massive delusion.
    • 2. Also without dispute is the fact that the longer delusions remain in place the more they look like "truth".
    • 3. And without dispute is a third fact: everyone is looking for the same "end" but not by the same "means".
      • a. There are four critical realities in God's revelation: value, truth, the knowledge that makes discernment possible, and finality in judgment.
      • b. Everyone is looking for the "joy of Life" but the vast majority of "fruit pickers" are looking on the thorn bushes and bramble vines.
• II. Using Discernment in the Search for Help.
  • A. Jesus declared without hesitation that everyone "gathers/picks" according to someone's definition of "good".
  • B. Since only an idiot thinks that he is adequate in himself to know what is "good", there is a serious need for "help".
  • C. Given the need for "help", there is a massive question "out there": Who is able to help me without leading me astray?
    • 1. Jesus' answer to this question is "the good man" who brings forth out of the good treasure of his heart.
    • 2. Jesus' caution: there are "evil men" who also bring forth out of the evil treasure of their hearts and they are both abundant and aggressive.
  • D. Given that question, there is another major problem: How do I tell who is "good" and who is "evil"?
    • 1. Jesus' answer to this question is subtle.
    • 2. Jesus' answer to this question has two major parts.
      • a. The first part is the determination of what is "evil".
        • 1) Jesus addressed this exhaustively.
        • 2) Jesus said that "evil" exists in the idolatry of seeking status, wealth, and physical pleasure.
      • b. The second part is "listening" to those who would "help".
        • 1) Here is where the subtlety exists.
        • 2) Jesus did not say "listen to their sermons with a careful ear" to see what their "official doctrine" is.
        • 3) Jesus said "listen to their casual speech" because that is where the true treasure of the heart is revealed.