"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and homour." (Ecclesiastes 10:1 KJV)
""The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"" (Matthew 13:44-46 NLT)
If you have been saved for many years, and if you have taken the opportunities to go to retreats and conferences, then you should have some experience in what it is like to share in spiritual discoveries within the Scriptures. I know it might not be everyone's favorite thing, because there are certain times when you can get called out and put on the spot; but if you could just allow the Spirit of God to work in you, it might change your life.
As to the passages from Matthew 13, Jesus is showing the disciples something, which is concerning the parable of the wheat and the tares. He first explains the actual wheat and tares, which is simple enough to understand; but then He opens up to the Kingdom of Heaven; which may or may not as easy to understand.
In the instance of these two discoveries, there have been teachings based upon the ones finding the hidden treasure and the great pearl, as to this actually being Jesus Christ, who gave up His place in Heaven to save us: His precious treasure and pearl of great value. And then, there have been teaching of this person being shown the discoveries, as being of you or me, who discovered the Savior, Jesus Christ, and gave all that we had, in order to hold onto and purchase these special treasures.
Having learned what I have learned, over these 40-plus years, it has been my understanding that we cannot purchase something that has been freely given; although, there are many people that pretend to do just that! More than that, if this Salvation to which we have been given, could be purchased, what price would it be, and from where would we get something that might of value to God?
There is really only one thing that we have, that really isn't our property to begin with; and that is our lives! Yes, He already owns you, so how is it that you can give Him something He already owns? And how can you purchase something that is given freely?
Solomon was just a man who asked God for wisdom! When we ask God for wisdom, we are asking Him for something that only He alone can give: the kind of wisdom that is from God; not the wisdom of this world, because the world's wisdom is foolishness. And, thankfully, He loves to hear us ask for wisdom, because that means we are wanting to do what He wants, not the foolish things the world wants to do.
Not to change the subject, but God not only gave Solomon wisdom, but He blessed him with great wealth and honor! Doesn't that sound a lot like the Tree in the midst of the Garden? Before there can be redemption, there needs to be a fall...
"For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it is to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose - to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'" Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." (Romans 14:7-13 NLT)
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