Where Our Treasure Lies
I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
PHILIPPIANS 3:8
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Where Our Treasure Lies
Therefore, as the dear children and heirs of God, we ought to glory in neither our wisdom, nor strength, nor riches, but in this, that we have the "pearl of great value" (Matthew 13:46), the dear Word, through which we know God, our dear Father, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent (John 17:3). That is our treasure and heritage, and it is sure and eternal and better than all worldly possessions. Whoever has this treasure may let others gather money, live riotously, be proud and haughty. Let him not be troubled by such things, though he be despised and poor in the eyes of the world. But let him thank God for His inexpressible gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) and pray that he may abide by it. . .. St. Paul was an unworthy, miserable man on earth, and the devil and the world assailed him most violently. To God he was a dear, worthy man. He was so poor, too, that he had to provide for himself with the work of his hands. And yet, despite such great poverty, he was richer than the emperor in Rome, though he had no other riches than the knowledge of Christ, in comparison with which, he says (Philippians 3:8): "I count all things (nothing on earth is excluded) but loss and refuse."
From Commentary on Psalm 23 (Luther's Works 12:161-62)
PHILIPPIANS 3:8
+
Where Our Treasure Lies
Therefore, as the dear children and heirs of God, we ought to glory in neither our wisdom, nor strength, nor riches, but in this, that we have the "pearl of great value" (Matthew 13:46), the dear Word, through which we know God, our dear Father, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent (John 17:3). That is our treasure and heritage, and it is sure and eternal and better than all worldly possessions. Whoever has this treasure may let others gather money, live riotously, be proud and haughty. Let him not be troubled by such things, though he be despised and poor in the eyes of the world. But let him thank God for His inexpressible gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) and pray that he may abide by it. . .. St. Paul was an unworthy, miserable man on earth, and the devil and the world assailed him most violently. To God he was a dear, worthy man. He was so poor, too, that he had to provide for himself with the work of his hands. And yet, despite such great poverty, he was richer than the emperor in Rome, though he had no other riches than the knowledge of Christ, in comparison with which, he says (Philippians 3:8): "I count all things (nothing on earth is excluded) but loss and refuse."
From Commentary on Psalm 23 (Luther's Works 12:161-62)
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