PROGRESSIVE PROFIT POINTS ROSS SMITH

PROGRESSIVE PROFIT POINTS                                                              ROSS SMITH

ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTES

MATTHEW 5:2-12

I want to explore this passage of scripture with a different emphasis to that which we are accustomed, the passage is known as “THE BEATITUDES” because there may be important kernels of truth we have overlooked.

There are six different points of interest, each having their own unique characteristics which may serve to either confront us or comfort us. Whatever our appreciation of this great passage of scripture, it is always well worth the effort of stepping back and allowing the Holy Spirit to refresh our appreciation.

I have taken the liberty of colour coding the groups so that each area is readily identifiable in each verse, however, if you are reading this on the blog, please feel free to request an email copy to include the colour code.

For those who subscribe to the “Prosperity Doctrine”, relating to the accumulation of earthly riches, you may want to stop reading right here because this study has nothing to do with that spurious doctrine.

1. HE TAUGHT THEM ——– A personal Financial advisor
2. FACTOR OF EIGHT ——– Eight times in this passage there is a promise of “SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY”
3. REGARDLESS      ——–    Circumstances play no part in the result
4. THE WORK Nine different areas of work are involved, requiring diverse talent
5. THE APPRAISAL ——–   The audit of the progress we have made by the profit earned
6. THE OUTCOME ——– The extent of the portfolio of spiritual inheritance

 

 

Matthew 5:2  Then He opened His mouth AND TAUGHT THEM, saying:

(THIS NEXT SECTION IS COLOURED CODED FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED)

Matthew 5:3                      Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Matthew 5:4                      Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favour and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!

Matthew 5:5                      Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!

Matthew 5:6                      Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favour and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

Matthew 5:7                      Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!

Matthew 5:8                      Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous–possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favour and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!

Matthew 5:9                      Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

Matthew 5:10                    Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Matthew 5:11                    Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.

Matthew 5:12                    Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), FOR IN THIS SAME WAY PEOPLE PERSECUTED THE PROPHETS WHO WERE BEFORE YOU.

This passage of scripture is commonly called “THE BEATITUDES” and the hallmark is the first word of each verse, “BLESSED”. In the beatitudes the Lord indicates not only the characters that are “BLESSED,” but the nature of that which is of the highest good, and means supremely blest; or by extension fortunate, well off.

 But that does not capture all that is intended here in the text, primarily because modern use of the word “happy” has been diluted. This term is an explanation of being “wholly joyful”  and with that inner peace that comes from being right with God. Happiness is certainly part of it, but it is a happiness that transcends whatever is taking place. That is why it can call for rejoicing under any and all circumstance.

 

1. HE TAUGHT THEM As a personal Spiritual Financial advisor.  Anyone who has reached an age where they have taken a moment to consider what their “Golden Years” might require to survive in some degree of comfort, will have realised that we need expert advice as to the placement of any funds we have accrued, where are they safe, will they grow or diminish, what sort of vehicle should be used, such as shares, property, etc. For many of us, the accrual of earthly goods has not been too great a cause for concern as the extent of our savings doesn’t warrant too much research on our part, we need to employ someone who knows their way around the financial markets.

 

In this instance, where we have accrued some spiritual assets, we have only to reach out to the acme of advisors, and Matthew  tells us that we have such a one, He opened His mouth and taught them the secret of “SPIRITUAL PROFITABILITY”. His “TEACHING” is still current, ignores the concentration of worldly focus, denounces the dependency on things material and attempts to have our eyes on the “benefactor” and not the “benefits”. In each verse, Jesus specifies that we should be “SPIRITUALLY PROSPEROUS”.

Matthew 6:19-21                             Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Colossians 3:1                                    IF THEN (Notice there is a prompt to see if we qualify, an audit that each of us can conduct …   comments mine) you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

2. THE FACTOR OF EIGHT How regularly this magnificent numeral pops up in scripture, in Bible numerology, the number “8” represents “SPIRITUAL FATNESS”. Eight times in this passage there is a promise of “SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY.”

EIGHT:  sh’moneh in Hebrew, from the root shah’meyn “to make fat” or “to cover with fat” which means to SUPER-ABOUND.

And so, the consequence of the instructions of Matthew 5 springs into effect with the promise of “SUPERABUNDANCE”. Now before anyone gets off on a tangent, this has nothing to do with the “PROSPERITY DOCTRINE”, a spurious teaching that has taken and twisted scripture to basically imply that we can manipulate God, the “PROSPERITY” here is SPIRITUAL and is a result of and consequence of the development of a relationship with Christ, and as described in Matthew 5.

 

3. REGARDLESS                          Matthew makes a very distinct point here and exterminates any excuse for our position, condition, location, vocation, or any other red herring we might like to introduce to avoid the responsibility. He says, “REGARDLESS OF THEIR OUTWARD CONDITIONS”. No matter what the circumstances we face, whether acceptable or objectionable, they are all under God’s control, despite my remonstrations and possible tantrums, and when we come to this realisation, we will not only rest easier, we will also start to make a PROFIT from our PROGRESS. It is worthwhile going back and reviewing the study “RECOGNISING THE PURPOSE OF CIRCUMSTANCE” for a more in-depth appreciation of this principle.

Philippians 4:11                                Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in WHATEVER STATE I AM. 

4. THE WORK In life there are pursuits which prove to be worthless, and there are also activities that are highly productive. In the arena of work where we are called to function there are often specialised and intricate tools, I say specialised and intricate simply because there seems to be very few who have learned to handle all these characteristics that prove to be so PROFITABLE.

Let me nominate tasks/work involved so that we can tick them off as we proceed and determine which ones still need our urgent attention.

• HUMILITY
• MOURNING
• MEEK/PATIENT
• HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
• MERCY
• PURITY
• PEACEMAKERS
• THE PERSECUTED
• THE FALSELY ACCUSED.

Now each of these “TASKS” requires a study in its own right and obviously, we need more time to conduct this exploration, but your study will contribute much to your competence in all these areas.

 

5. THE APPRAISAL This is the audit of the progress we are making or have made by the profit earned. This exercise can be very confronting because it sets out the parameters for “THE OUTCOME.” Should we be humble enough to evaluate those things that constitute “BLESSED”, to determine if we are suitable candidates it will serve to initiate remedial action in those areas where we fall short. Let me list the order in which they occur.

• Poor in spirit, or humble. Humility is the fertile soil of righteous character. These are those who come to the realization that they are spiritually bankrupt before God and is the natural response of those who are “poor in spirit.”
• The mourners, not “moaners”!!!!! Frequently our “mourning” is misplaced because we are in fact “moaning”, resenting the fact that we have not made the grade yet, or view circumstance as too hard.
• The meek, mild patient. The cliché “Meekness is not weakness” is never more true than here, because it adds in those additional attributes that truly identify the “meek”, they are also “mild and patient”. We can sometimes be patient, but not truly meek.
• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The Greek word used here expresses a passionate longing for something without which one cannot live. (See Philippians 3:8-10)
• The Merciful Mercy only exists when we do something to help.
• The pure in heart The pure in heart are also given a promise; they will see God! Do we need any more incentive?
• The makers and maintainers of peace Everyone loves peace, it allows them to do whatever they want without hindrance. But we aren’t called to love peace, we are called to “MAKE PEACE”
• Those persecuted for righteousness sake Any outward facade of being “good” will melt away when the heat of persecution comes, and it surely will come.
• Those reviled and persecuted falsely for Christ’s An age-old plot, remember Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, and the world has had another several hundred years of practice. The “ism” of “inclusiveness” will be used to persecute those who wish to represent the Lord in a manner befitting His character and nature.

All these attributes combine to form the evaluation or appraisal of our growth process, that accumulation of true and real knowledge of God with the subsequent experience of putting into practice, or understanding,  a prerequisite for “THE OUTCOME”.

 

6. THE OUTCOME This is the extent of the portfolio of spiritual inheritance, an outcome that is superlative in every respect.

• for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
• for they shall be comforted!
• for they shall inherit the earth
• for they shall be completely satisfied!
• for they shall obtain mercy!
• for they shall see God!
• for they shall be called the sons of God!
• theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
• for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense),

Any one of these “OUTCOMES” is priceless, for they are not conceived in things of mundane or material wealth, but are the riches of eternity, of extraordinary design, of incalculable value, each one entire and fully provisioned by God Himself to reward those who will accept the challenge.

The fundamental idea all through the Beatitudes is that God’s approval is upon such a man who exhibits these traits. The beatitudes are contrary to the way the world thinks things should be. The Christian who has put them to the test realises their unquestionable truth and validity. Who would not want to be a participant in the outcome of each character trait nominated despite the route to the goal?

No matter what the event, the circumstance, the trial, the incentives offered to those who accept the challenge of change are celestial in their origin and certified as to their value, specifically stated by Jesus Christ Himself Who is impossible to lie. What great insurance and assurance are ours in this text.

God’s kingdom is not a question of ritual, of philosophy, of location, or of military might … but of right attitude toward God and toward other people. The only impediment to accruing these promises is the intrusion of “self” into the equation, and when that occurs, we miss the solution.

Do we want to be “BLESSED, HAPPY, FORTUNATE, TO BE ENVIED, ENVIABLY HAPPY, WITH LIFE JOY AND SATISFACTION but above all, “SPIRITUALLY PROSPEROUS” then Matthew has given us the keys?