Pearl of Great Price

A dear friend recently called my attention to this parable......

“The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price” Matthew 13:45-46.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Pearls in the ancient world came to represent the supremely valuable.   Why would a mercant sell everything for a  pearl?  No doubt because he was attracted to what he thought was the greatest treasure he could possess. Discovering God's kingdom is like stumbling across hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of great price.  When we discover the kingdom of God we receive the greatest possible treasure -- the Lord himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this incomparable treasure could mean many things -- our friends, job, our "style of life", what we do with our free time. . If the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty (Job 22:22-23). Is the Lord the treasure and delight of your heart?

This parable was a timely reminder for me.  What are we willing to sell, give-away, sacrifice for the Pearl of Great Price?  Are there things in your life that you consider more valuable than the Lord himself?  Do you actions reflect your love for him?  Those questions led me to some serious evaluation, and some serious decision making.....   more on that later.