The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid.
Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom
of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he found a pearl of great value, he
went out and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew13:4446
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Lets put this in modern terms: Imagine someone knows of a company that is going to have
their I.P.O. (initial public offering) and he is confident it is really going to take off. So he sells
everything he has so he can buy stock. Everyone is telling him he is wasting his money and
being foolish. He is working two jobs, has sold his car, his baseball card collection(that he has
been collecting since he was very young) his skis, tennis racquet, anything of value. He moves
out of his apartment into a very low rent apartment in a bad neighborhood. His family and
girlfriend have deserted him. Even his parents tell him at every opportunity that he is acting
crazy. In short he has lost everything!
Eventually it all worked out and he made more money in a few years than he was likely to
make in two lifetimes. The sacrifice was more than worth the reward. He took a lot of ridicule
and risked everything, (even things very dear to him) but it was worth it.
We know of course that the Lord was not talking about material gain, but the point is the
same. With joy we should surrender our possessions to Him knowing the reward will be more
than a thousandfold. We won’t see most of the reward in this lifetime. However there is no
doubt that we will receive it.
It is important to note that God doesn’t ask more of us then we have. Still He does ask ALL
that we have. We nay not be specifically asked to give up everything, but we must be willing
and ready to do it. In the story of the rich young ruler [Matthew 19:1624]
Jesus tells him
specifically to sell everything he has and give it the poor, because He knows that the ruler put
his faith in his wealth. Most of us want (need) to have a cushion of protection, maybe a
savings account, or influential friends, or a secure job, heath insurance, etc. There is nothing
wrong with those things, but it cannot be the basis of our confidence. Think about it; is there
anything, house, family, job, country that you are not willing to give up for the Lord? Don’t
get fearful thinking that as soon as we realize that there is something very dear to us God will
ask us to let go of it. In most cases God doesn’t ask those things of us. He wants us to have joy
in this life. He is not out to get us, or intentionally make our lives difficult. Most of the
difficulty we have in this life we bring on ourselves. There is something very liberating in
turning everything over to the Lord with full confidence that He always has our best interest in
mind.
Then Jesus,when He looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to
Philip, “Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?” (Now Jesus said this to test
him, for He knew what He was going to do.) Philip replied, “Two hundred silver coins worth
of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little.” One of Jesus’ disciples,
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two
fish, but what good are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”
(Now there was a lot of grass in that place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in
number. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed the bread
to those who were seated. He then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. When
they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left
over, so that nothing is wasted.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with
broken pieces from the five barley loaves left over by the people who had eaten. [John6:613NET]
This boy could have said that he had only enough for himself. After all it wasn’t his fault that
the others didn’t bring food. He gave all that he had, what he had fed himself and many others
until they were full, with food to spare. Don’t underestimate your worth to God. You may
think you have very little to give, but in God’s hands it will be of great value, if you surrender
it to Him.
Please note it says in Matthew13:44; “Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had
and bought that field.” WITH JOY in his heart he sold all that he had. When we are presented
with the gift of salvation, we gladly forsake everything to possess it. It really is a small price to
pay. Jesus payed the price we were unable to pay. Again, He doesn’t ask more than we can
give, but He does ask ALL that we have.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like giving up a small amount to receive a large one, like giving
up a glass of water to receive an ocean, a bird house in exchange for a castle. Empty yourself
and be filled with the Spirit.
These are just nice sounding words if we fail to mix them with faith. BUT if we put faith in
these words of Jesus they have the power to change us, and the world, plus give glory to His
name. A person doesn’t just pick up a musical instrument and instantly becomes a world class
musician. Someone doesn’t just get up off their easy chair and run a marathon, without having
prepared. Olympic athletes must be fully committed to get the Gold. It takes a lot of studying
to get into an ivy league college. FAITH is like that; it is muscle that must be exercised.
Exercise your FAITH muscles. You will be surprised what the Lord can do.
To The GLORY of God