O'Donoghue MTh_Thesis-FinalCopy.pdf - South African Theological ...

treasures would be, but agrees that they would be received in eternity as a result oftrusting God by doing well to others with the possessions in one’s care. Lloyd-Jonesmakes the case by referring to two passages of scripture, the first being Jesus’parable of the shrewd manager found in Luke 16.Luke 16 is a passage of scripture where disciples are encouraged to usepossessions to do good to others and in that way will be repaid for their good ineternity (Luke 16:1-13). A comparison is worthwhile as Luke 16:13 contains thesame metaphor of the two Masters that is found in Matthew 6:24. The secondpassage is found in Matthew 25 where again disciples are rewarded at judgment forthe good they did to others.It is worth noting that Lloyd Jones (2006:398) dismisses the belief that laying uptreasure in Heaven means to earn one’s eternal salvation, as that is to ignore thedoctrine of justification by faith so clearly expounded in the rest of the NewTestament. While Lloyd-Jones is correct in not adopting the view that Jesus isencouraging disciples to earn salvation, one should also consider the purpose of theSOM as seen in chapter One.Keener (1993:63) says that the idea of laying up treasures with God in Jewishthought referred to either God helping the generous person in a time of need or (asabove) God rewarding people in the afterlife. Keener believes the context heresupports the latter. Wright is correct in that there are rewards and blessing related toobedience to God in this age (Luke 18:29-30).However, Lloyd Jones and Keener are correct that the context is pointing to a futurereward. As the passage talks about rewards that are kept imperishable, this surelymeans they are in the future consummations of Jesus’ kingdom. Ridderbos(1987:137) affirms this idea when he says treasures in Heaven are so called asaccording to verse 20b “that is where they are kept.” I.e. rewards for obedience toGod are both a present and eternal reality.The question that follows is how does one lay up treasures in Heaven? Somescholars point to generosity to others as a way of accumulating Heavenly Treasure.42