The value that humans place on their possessions is purely subjective. I don’t mean the actual cost to manufacture an item and sell it, but the amount of money we would personally put on a object because of the importance it has in our lives. I have several items on the shelves in my office that may not have cost a great deal of money, but if you wanted to buy them from me, I would charge you a great deal of money! I have a couple of signed baseballs, I know what I paid for them, but if you wanted them, I would drive the price up one hundred times the original amount to see how bad you wanted them. Would you really be willing to pay that price? What would it mean to you to possess them?

The kingdom of God is described by Jesus in these terms, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44). There were few places money could be deposited, so why not just bury an item? The issue then might be that you bury a treasure and are unable to return to collect it. Take for example the Staffordshire Treasure – largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found in 2009. 3,500 items amounting to 11 pounds of gold and 3 pounds of silver, currently worth $226,240.40. Since this treasure is dated back to the 7^th century, it was valued at 5 million dollars. Jesus says in this parable that the man uncovers the treasure, sells all he has, and buys the field. Is this honest? Jewish law expressly stated that anything found, whether money or goods, belonged to the finder.

The treasure is the kingdom of heaven, the church. This is the most wonderful treasure of all treasures, its value it supreme (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Romans 5:8). It is worth everything and every effort (Acts 8:26-40). So few see the value in the treasure. They only seek the kingdom in extreme need, sickness, and death (Mark 10:17-27). If the kingdom is valuable once, it is always valuable.

The sacrifice of the man, he sold all that he had. What price are we willing to pay? Our family and friends? (Mark 10:28-31). Treasures are not gotten for nothing (Matthew 16:24-28). Are we willing to give up what we possess for the kingdom? (Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32-35; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2). 

The joy of the man, there are no regrets. Too often we complain about the sacrifice for the treasure (Numbers 11) we wish we were back in sin rather looking forward into the Promised Land. We will give much for the treasure, but we SO MUCH MORE in return (Philippians 3:7, 8). We ought to embrace being in the kingdom with joy! (Acts 8:39)

What are we willing to give up to for the kingdom?

By; Justin Odom