Would you sell everything you had to get something you really wanted? Have you sold things you like so you can get something you want more? Have you been satisfied with your decision? Would you do it again? What are you giving up now to get something you desire?
We all make tradeoffs. None of us can have everything we want. At the very least, we choose to give our time to work our jobs so we can purchase a place to live, purchase a vehicle, have clothing, food, and some of the things we want. Tradeoffs or exchanges happen every day.
Jesus tells a very short parable about a man who found a hidden treasure in a field. The man quickly reburies it so that it stays hidden from anyone else. He then goes to sell everything he has so he can buy the field. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like the hidden treasure in the field. When we discover what the kingdom of heaven is really like, we will be willing to give up everything else for it. What is Jesus telling us?
The kingdom of heaven is worth us giving up ourselves and all we have. It is worth giving up our selfish ways, our personal desires, our prejudices, our hatred toward others, our long-held grudges, our stinginess, our desire to hold onto this world. The freedom, beauty, joy, and being in the presence of God are worth ridding ourselves of all our baggage. When we understand the promise of the kingdom, we realize the treasure of it far outweighs any treasure we may have in this life.
I pray we all realize the wonderful treasure of the kingdom of heaven. I pray we give up ourselves to receive it. I pray each one of us believe Jesus and choose to follow Him. Understand the treasure of heaven. Give yourself up for it. Believe Jesus. Follow Jesus.
Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Marty Pressey 