Just a Thought: If you have ever lost or found something of great value, you know the joy of discovery! We lose and miss place things around our house all the time. Sometimes even important items. But when that happens the search is on and no stone is left unturned until the item is found. Can you imagine being in some strange place and discovering a treasure? What would you do? Jesus tells the story of a man who did just that. And, when he did find this treasure, he kept it a secret until he had the time and money to buy the property where the treasure was so he could secure the treasure as his own. And, then Jesus said this, “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.” (Matt 13:44) Jesus equated kingdom living as a treasure. Well, I know people who think kingdom living is restrictive. They think living under the Lordship of Jesus is too confining. They don’t think or view the word of God, and the ways of God are worth much at all. But, Jesus said, they are like treasures so valuable a person would hide them until he could secure them for himself. What if we saw kingdom living and kingdom priorities, God’s word and God’s ways as “treasures” worth so much we wanted to secure them for ourselves? This troublesome parable is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. But, as the flow of scripture goes, it appears to mean God through Jesus has purchased the whole world in order to save some (namely Israel). You and I are a part of the God’s treasure. He has discovered in us something we don’t even see ourselves. Our worth and value to Him was worth purchasing or redeeming the whole world in order to get. So, the kingdom of heaven, which is made up of the redeemed is the filled with God’s treasures (us). My friend it is a privilege and an honor to be a part of God’s kingdom. It should be our desire to seek His kingdom rule in our hearts and lives knowing He redeemed the world to purchase us! And His word and His ways should be our daily pursuit because of this. If you have ever lost or found something of great value, you know the joy of discovery! And, when you have discovered the truth about the kingdom of God, you will have the joy of discovering something of great value and worth in your life. I don’t know what you’re living for today. Kingdom living is a great value and treasure! The sooner you see its worth and value, the sooner you will begin to enjoy its treasure. Enjoy the joy of discovery today by finding the value and worth of kingdom living and putting it into practice in your life (Mt. 6:33).
