October 15 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:1-11:

¹Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
²Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
³For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
⁴Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
⁵Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
⁷But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
¹¹If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Devotional

We are told that people in ancient times buried treasures in the ground to protect them from thieves. We are not told that the man in the parable was seeking for treasures. It seems, as he was working in the field, he accidentally came upon it. When he found it, he hid it, and for joy thereof he sells all he has, and buys the field.

Is it not so in the kingdom of God? Zacchaeus, out of curiosity, would like to see Jesus, and he finds salvation. The Samaritan woman comes to draw water, and finds the Saviour sitting on the well. "And as Jesus passed by (how accidental!) he saw a man which was blind from his birth." "And he (the blind man) said, Lord I believe. And he worshipped him." It all seems ac­cidental, but it is so decreed in the providence of God.

The man in the parable hid his treasure to keep it safe. Then he sold all he had. It always costs all one has to obtain that treasure. The rich young ruler was unwilling to pay the price. He would not make a full surrender. Paul did: "I count all things but loss . . . that I may win Christ."

"And buyeth the field." "Come ye, buy . . . without money and without price." That is the way you buy in the kingdom of God. "For by grace are ye saved ... it is the gift of God." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank Thee that it has pleased Thee, that in Christ should all fulness dwell. We thank Thee that out of his fulness we receive grace for grace. We thank Thee that in him we have all things necessary unto salvation; that Jesus Christ of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. May we never seek anything outside of him; but may we rejoice in him and all his treasures and gifts. May we be wholly surrendered unto him, and serve him wholeheartedly now and for ever. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Luke 19:9; John 4:6; John 9:1-36; Luke 18:22; Phil. 3:8; Isa. 55:1; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 9:15.

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