Parable of the Thrift Store
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Matthew is perhaps my favorite Gospel. I guess I identify more with a tax collector and sinner than with a
physician, a disciple whom Jesus loved, or even a non-descript such as Mark. While I often read all of the
Gospels, I find myself continually returning to Matthew and the wonderful illustrations he gives of the Kingdom of
Heaven, especially in the 13th Chapter.
These teachings are familiar to us: the parable of the soils, the parable of the wheat and tares, the parable of
the mustard seed. We like those stories.
As we read on the examples seem less applicable: the parable of the leaven (hardly any of us bake bread any
more), the parable of the hidden treasure (we have a bank for that), the parable of the dragnet (we’re into fly
fishing in Oklahoma). After those, we may be tempted to just turn the page and get onto something more to our
liking. Something sensational like murder or miracles or mysteries.
But wait a minute. The next couple of verse are still mostly red. What does the Parable of the Householder
say?
51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a
householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
I am sure a true scholar, someone versed in the history or culture of that day, someone skilled in biblical
languages, some hermeneutic genius, could expound on this much better than I. There is probably a deeper
meaning here, but here is how this parable touches me.
Our desire as Christians is for God’s kingdom to come, for His will to be done on earth, just as it is in heaven.
We want to see good for individuals, for families, for our community, our nation, and, indeed, our world. God is
big enough for a far-reaching hope such as that.
This could indeed be the Parable of the Thrift Store. What could be done in and for the Kingdom of Heaven if we
truly brought out of our treasure things new and old. The things we bring out are time-tested ideas that really
work, new innovations that come to us as we work together and network together.
Other householders interested in advancing the Kingdom of Heaven bring out of their treasure things new and
old and give them to us so that we can turn it into revenue for the same purpose. It’s a wonderful concept. The
better we work together, the more His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth, just as it is in heaven!
physician, a disciple whom Jesus loved, or even a non-descript such as Mark. While I often read all of the
Gospels, I find myself continually returning to Matthew and the wonderful illustrations he gives of the Kingdom of
Heaven, especially in the 13th Chapter.
These teachings are familiar to us: the parable of the soils, the parable of the wheat and tares, the parable of
the mustard seed. We like those stories.
As we read on the examples seem less applicable: the parable of the leaven (hardly any of us bake bread any
more), the parable of the hidden treasure (we have a bank for that), the parable of the dragnet (we’re into fly
fishing in Oklahoma). After those, we may be tempted to just turn the page and get onto something more to our
liking. Something sensational like murder or miracles or mysteries.
But wait a minute. The next couple of verse are still mostly red. What does the Parable of the Householder
say?
51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a
householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
I am sure a true scholar, someone versed in the history or culture of that day, someone skilled in biblical
languages, some hermeneutic genius, could expound on this much better than I. There is probably a deeper
meaning here, but here is how this parable touches me.
Our desire as Christians is for God’s kingdom to come, for His will to be done on earth, just as it is in heaven.
We want to see good for individuals, for families, for our community, our nation, and, indeed, our world. God is
big enough for a far-reaching hope such as that.
This could indeed be the Parable of the Thrift Store. What could be done in and for the Kingdom of Heaven if we
truly brought out of our treasure things new and old. The things we bring out are time-tested ideas that really
work, new innovations that come to us as we work together and network together.
Other householders interested in advancing the Kingdom of Heaven bring out of their treasure things new and
old and give them to us so that we can turn it into revenue for the same purpose. It’s a wonderful concept. The
better we work together, the more His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth, just as it is in heaven!