Too Good to Pass Up

In Jesus’ Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price, the person in each parable finds something of great value and sells all he owns to secure the treasured object. In the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the man appears to have come across the treasure by chance, while the man in the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price is in a deliberate search for fine pearls. Regardless of the circumstances of their find, each man immediately abandons everything he owns to gain the object of his desire.

The parables are “no brainer” situations; events anyone would see as an obvious choice. All each man owned could not compare to the commodity they found. It would be unwise, even foolish to pass up the opportunity. Both men exercised the greatest investment strategy of their lives and came out ahead. In easily understood terms, Jesus is saying, when the greatest opportunity of our lives presents itself before us, it is wise to take advantage of the offer. To do otherwise is shortsighted, even foolish.

Even today, these parables remind us the true value of the kingdom of heaven far exceeds all the treasures, temptations, trials and tribulations of this present life. Pursuing the kingdom of heaven is worth the sacrifice of this life; it is the greatest, wisest investment of our time, talents, treasure and being. It is an investment that pays dividends for eternity.

Whether we find that phenomenal sale by coincidence or as result of a deliberate shopping trip, once discovered, we know it is too good of a deal to pass up. Do we realize the value of the kingdom of heaven? If we would notify everyone about the incredible sale at XXX, shouldn’t we tell them about the phenomenal saving grace, power and value of Jesus? Have you found the “saving” that is too good to pass up? Have you told others?