Series 1 - Lesson 3 - Annotation 6
What is the truth back of the command, "Lay not up . . . treasures" (Matt. 6:19)?
6. The command, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth" (Matt. 6:19), has back of it the truth that man is not to look upon effects, forms, and treat them as though they are causes. It is a warning to those who put their trust first in "things" rather than in divine ideas which inhere in God substance that produce the "things." Things that are manifested as results are destructible, changeable, hence temporary; but divine ideas are permanent heavenly riches in man's divine nature. Divine ideas are above the laws of physical disintegration. The man who lives only in the confines of personal consciousness can accumulate vast possessions; but "things" so accumulated are uncertain in their tenure. Of themselves they do not convey the peace and happiness, the sucurity and freedom that man really seeks. However, when "his kingdom" is sought first, the ideas of that kingdom satisfy man's soul and produce the things as a natural course of events. Then man is able to appreciate the "things" as the outer forms of God ideas.
The truth back of the command, "Lay not up . . . treasures," is that divine substance (with the inhering ideas) is forever omnipresent, so outer forms need not be hoarded. Man in touch with God's constant, adequate bounty (divine substance) needs seek no other source of supply for the ideas inhering in substance can produce all the outer supply that man needs. The heavenly treasure (ideas) is a hidden treasure. The "hiddenness" may be explored and the treasure possessed in mind, together with its outer, visible form, by anyone who, forsaking the old way, is ready to give the new way a trial.
________________________
Preceding Entry: Explain the meaning of the Scripture, "Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).
Following Entry: How may we become conscious of substance?
