Correspondence: Matt. 13:44 and Psa. 135:4; Matt. 20:1-16

From: Young Christian: Volume 31, 1941

Matthew 13:44; Matthew 20:1‑16; Psalm 135:4 • 3 min. read • grade level: 6

Question: Is not the treasure in Matthew 13:44⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44) Israel? Is the church hid in the field, or was it hid in God? Does Psalm 135:4⁴For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. (Psalm 135:4) point on the treasure in Matthew 13:44⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44)?

Answer: “The kingdom of heaven” in its mysterious form (that is, when the King is absent, only called so in Matthew’s Gospel), applies to this present time. It does not apply to Israel in the past, nor in the future – that is, after the church is caught up.

Israel was to be a peculiar treasure, if they had obeyed Jehovah (Ex. 19.5); and they will be it in the reign of Christ, the center for His earthly glory (Psa. 135:4⁴For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. (Psalm 135:4)). It will be the Kingdom in power then. Israel was never hid in the field. They were well known, not hidden.

In Matthew 13:44⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44) the Man found it, and hid it, then sold all that He had, and bought the field for the treasure that was in it. The field is the purchased thing there. In verses 45, 46 we find the great object of His delight, the pearl of great price (Eph. 5:25-27²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25‑27)). This is what was hid in God, and was only revealed (Eph. 3:9⁹And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)) after Paul was converted.

It is important to notice that all the parables of the kingdom of heaven apply to the church period.

Question: Please explain about the householder and those hired (Matt. 20:1-16¹For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. ²And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ⁴And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. ⁵Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. ⁶And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? ⁷They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. ⁸So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ⁹And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. ¹⁰But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ¹¹And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, ¹²Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. ¹³But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? ¹⁴Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. ¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? ¹⁶So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1‑16)).

Answer: In this parable is shown the sovereignty of the Lord in calling and rewarding the laborers in His vineyard. It is not a question of obtaining salvation, for we do not labor for salvation. It is to teach us that the Lord is our Master. Peter had said “What shall we have therefore?” Here is the answer even to those who begin late in the day, “Go ye into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.” Laboring for Christ because we love Him, and trust Him, is better than laboring for reward. It is grace, not law. We love to do it because of His grace to us. He made us His.

Reward is encouragement to those who are serving Him with His approval. It is not the motive to lead us to serve. Those who bargained for the penny, received it. “What is right I will give you.” They trusted Him. The assurance of reward is given when the Lord is the motive for the labor. If we get the reward as the motive for laboring, it falsifies the character of true service for Him. Then Peter and the disciples must learn that it is His to do with as He pleases, and therefore, many that are last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen, It is the sovereign grace of God that is the source of true blessing.

Peter was called, and a place given him by the Lord. Paul came in later on, as last, but he was a chosen vessel to unfold the heavenly mystery of Christ and the church as a stronger testimony to grace, so the last was first, and the first last. Each has his place to fill as given by the Lord (Eph. 4:8⁸Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8)). Again, notice, this is not salvation, but service after we are saved.

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