Priceless Treasure

The world is filled with people that are searching for a priceless treasure, assuming their life will then be complete. People pan for gold, hoping to find a big nugget that will make them rich. Some use metal detectors, hoping to find something of great value in the soil or sand. Some go to garage sales and private sales, finding things that they can resell at a profit, hoping to find something no one else recognized the value of. The funny thing is that a lot of people that find this great treasure end up not selling it, but keeping it for their own pleasure, gaining them no financial benefit, only selfish pride. It has always amazed me that with all the valuable things found at garage sales and auctions, the owners don’t realize their value... an old picture, a book, an old toy etc. It is strange how those searching are willing to give up everything else for what they see is of value. If you find a violin of great value, but you don’t play, how can the world enjoy what makes it priceless. Some of the things that people that are willing to pay a price for, seem unimportant to me. They say the beauty, or in this case, the value is in the eye of the beholder. There is one thing that is worth more than all the money in the world that many people fail to recognize. One of the Bible readings for this Sunday is from Matthew 13. It is talking about those who recognized the value God’s heavenly kingdom. There are several parables that say “The Kingdom of heaven is like...” a treasure in a field or a pearl of great value. The one who discovers it is willing to sell everything in order to gain this treasure. The third parable speaks of separating the good and the bad... the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be thrown into the fiery furnace at the end of time. I have to ask this question, “Of what value is the kingdom of heaven to you?” According to God’s word, the way to enter the kingdom of God is by grace through faith in Christ. It is not by works or choice, but by a relationship through faith in God. Are you willing to give up everything, and by so doing, profess that Jesus is the only way? God may not call you to give up everything... finances, home, material things, reputation, security, etc., but He wants to have all of us. Father, help is first to walk with You through faith, then to recognize what is truly important, and lastly to surrender our all to You. Amen