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Read:
Matthew 13:44-46
Imagine discovering a precious jewel. Suddenly, you're wealthy beyond belief! What do you do with all of that money? Jesus has something in mind for you:
"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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46).
What's going on here? After the man finds the treasure, he goes and hides it again. Would you? What's he thinking?! Instead of keeping the treasure to himself, he recognizes the treasure's true worth isn't tied to his own personal gain but to the kingdom of heaven. Finding the treasure is but the first step of decisive, courageous, radical action: He sells everything he has to buy the field. He must relinquish everything he has to buy the land, which is home to the treasure. (To make sure we don't miss this point, Jesus gives us an exclamation point: If you want the pearl of great price you must sell everything).
What might Jesus be saying to you right now? What is the field and the hidden treasure that would cause you to sell everything in order to purchase it for the sake of God's kingdom?
What would motivate you to do this? Is it because you think it's something you should do, or that it's the right thing to do? Jesus uses only one word to reveal what motivated the man to sell everything he had to buy the field: Joy!
Challenge:
The joy of parting with everything you own for something far, far greater what would that look like for you today?
Mark Cutshall
FON Council
September 24, 2011
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