Several years ago, my wife and I were invited to have dinner in the home of a family we knew. They also had invited another couple whom we had never met. It was a pleasant meal, and we enjoyed the food and the people. As we were finishing eating, the gentleman we had just met proposed a little game. He wanted us to take turns around the table, answering this question, “What is the one thing you own that you treasure most?”
It was a bit awkward at first, but as we progressed around the group, it became interesting to hear the variety of answers. Some mentioned items that were passed down to them from their parents. These were treasured for their sentimental value. Others talked about things they had purchased that had required a lot of sacrifice because of their high cost. One person said their most valuable possession was their spouse. We then debated the legitimacy of that answer since spouses are not technically possessions. What seemed at first to be an intimidating activity turned into some great discussion and an opportunity to learn about the people gathered in that home.
But it did bring up an interesting question, what makes something valuable? This does not have one specific answer, but there are many variables that go into this discussion. It could be sentimental connection. I have some items that once belonged to my grandfather whom I never met. They have no monetary value, but I value them because of their origin. Other items are highly valued because they are hard to find. Others gain their worth from the level of sacrifice that is required to obtain them.
In two of his more obscure parables, Jesus teaches us what is truly valuable in his sight. Jesus relates these two parables in just three verses, Mathew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Both begin with the statement, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” He is describing the eternity we are promised as those redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. He is describing the value we should place on the ultimate fulfilment of this promise. The first description is of a man who found a treasure buried in a field. There were no banks in first century Israel, so people often buried their life savings in a field to keep them safe. Occasionally, people would die or for some other unavoidable reason abandon their savings. If someone stumbled onto this treasure, they could buy the field and the treasure became theirs.
The other is a bit more straightforward. A man was searching for a valuable pearl and when he found the perfect one, he sacrificed everything he had to ensure he would be able to purchase it.
Both stories bring us to the same conclusion. We should place a high value on God’s eternal kingdom. There should be no other priority that stands in the path of our journey toward heaven. Just as the two people sacrificed everything to gain the treasure they sought; we are challenged to do the same.
We evaluate the importance something has to the one who possesses it by how much energy, sacrifice and commitment goes into attaining it and securing it. The same can be said of our seeking the eternal kingdom God offers. When we take up our cross and sacrifice everything for our Lord, we demonstrate that we value his promised kingdom beyond all else.