Title:- Money and Money’s Worth
Matthew 2:11 And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
As all royalty would be approached in the East, these Kings, these most marvellous Magi, opened up their treasure boxes and presented to the greatest King, God over all, the most valuable of their country's then commercial products. No doubt, these gifts were emblematic; no doubt, these gifts were prophetic as well in that they spoke of the purpose and destiny of the tiny little Lamb then so sweetly set before them. However, my question today is this: What happened to the gifts? You would agree with me I am sure, that you don’t travel over vast distances, with the hope of finding someone you have searched and longed to see, without taking with you something of exceptional worth and value. So I assume then that this was pretty expensive stuff! Yet I am not aware of any archaeological searches for the ‘Lost Gold of Jesus’ or the ‘Perfume of the Prince of Life’. No, this treasure is never spoken of again. Why? Well that old and great commentator, Matthew Henry, gives us a very simple statement that the gifts were essentially ‘Money and Money's Worth’ and that’s very helpful. You see in effect, Mary and Joseph were given a universal commodity of exchange. It was the ‘Euro’ or the ‘Dollar’ of the day if you will and they were going to need it!
The verses following in Matthew shows the fearful family, fleeing from Herod and hiding in Egypt until his death, before then returning to Israel, the long way home. Arriving back in Nazareth, they would start afresh in beginning to support themselves. All of this coming and going, stopping and starting, ending and beginning, breaking and building, took money. It was an expensive exercise!
We can take great encouragement in that the long and expensive journey of Jesus, Joseph and Mary were taken care of by the Father in advance of it happening. My goodness! The Father even brought precious provision and finances from afar, to ensure the protection and establishment of the family. So, where are the gifts? Well, I would suggest friends, that they were all, very quickly and very well spent! God gives us treasure for spending, even for the financing of all our journeying. It is never for hoarding. Remember that.
Listen: - “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt 6:31-34
Pray: - Living God, help me to put You and Your kingdom first and then see You come up with all my various expenses. Amen!
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