In Matthew 13:44-46, we discover two powerful parables: one about a man who finds a treasure, and another about a man in search of a pearl. When these men recognize the immense value of what they have uncovered, everything else becomes insignificant. They sold all they possessed and invested their “everything.” They were all in.
These men focused on what they deemed far more valuable than anything else they owned. Do we view the kingdom of heaven with such urgency and importance?
Does this mean we should sell everything, take a vow of poverty, or renounce earthly pleasures? The answer is both yes and no. When we allow our love for possessions to overshadow our love for Jesus, it may be time to cut ties (Matthew 5:30). The challenge arises when we cherish the gifts more than the Giver. It all comes down to our focus and our heart.
Consider the feeding of the 5,000: everyone rejoiced when their hunger was satisfied. They wanted to make Jesus their king, yet when He challenged them with a difficult teaching, many turned away (John 6). If we treasure our possessions, abilities, status, our belly’s above Jesus, we risk becoming like those who walked away.
Is Jesus of great worth to you?
Now, reflect on these verses from Matthew 6:
“19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Is the Giver of greater worth than the gifts you have? Where is your treasure?
Inspired by David Nasser a call to die
I have learned a lot from Matthew 6:19-21.
As a child (I thought) I grew up poor. I worked since I was 8 years old, always trying to get money so I could buy things that the other kids had.
After joining the Marines, I finally had financial security, food, shelter, clothing was all provided. I was finally saving money.
I became a financial specialist and eventually I got certified as a Dave Ramsey coach. I then took a class in Christian Financial Ministry. That verse was part of our training.
Money was my idol and I didn’t even realize it until later in my career. I worked side jobs while on active duty, my wife worked full time. We wanted to be financial free.
We put all that before God, but that which kept us away then has allowed us the freedom to serve Him greater now.
What once was your god, you were now freed from to serve the one true God. God uses what we held dear in our past to bless his kingdom when submitted it all to Him. love it brother
The parable of the man who finds the treasure in the field and sells all his possessions to buy the field is another one of my favorites. I have often considered this parable and asked myself, have you sold everything? I feel as if I have sold many things, and I have obtained the field, but I certainly have not sold everything. I guess you could say that I have taken out a loan to purchase the field, and there are still some payments to make. God continues to identify to me the things that need to be sold, and they are difficult things to sell, but I am trying. I know that I will only be successful through the power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’s grace.
Our God is slow to anger and quick to love. He is patient with us. I understand that there are things I need to sell, and the Lord is helping me find the courage to trust Him in those areas, deny them, and embrace Jesus. He began a good work in us, brother, and He will continue until the day Jesus returns (Phil 1:6)
1 Timothy 6:17-19
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
”Matthew 13:44’s parable of the hidden
treasure powerfully illustrates the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven. The man’s drastic action of selling everything highlights the all-encompassing nature of this treasure, suggesting that nothing worldly compares to God. While some might
criticize the man’s seemingly rash decision,the parable implies that true wisdom lies in recognizing the Kingdom of God’s supreme worth,
making any sacrifice worth while
challenges us to examine our own
priorities and consider what “treasure” we truly seek.
Is the world? Or Heaven ?
We should recognize its worth, be willing to sacrifice all to obtain it.