The Great Exchange
What Do You Value Most? Understanding the True Worth of God's Kingdom
What is it that you value most in life? This question cuts to the heart of who we are and what drives our decisions. We all place value on different things - family, career, possessions, achievements, or even something as simple as our phone that we never seem to lose track of. But what happens when we examine what we truly treasure against the backdrop of eternity?
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
In Matthew 13:44, Jesus tells a remarkably brief but powerful story: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
This isn't a complex narrative with detailed character development. It's a simple, direct message that you either understand or you don't. The man discovers something so valuable that he's willing to give up everything else to obtain it.
Why Did He Act With Joy?
Notice that Jesus specifically mentions the man acted "in his joy." This wasn't a reluctant sacrifice or a painful decision. There was genuine joy in giving up everything for this treasure. This detail reveals a crucial insight into the value of God's kingdom: when we truly grasp its worth, following Jesus becomes joyful, not burdensome.
The Parable of the Pearl
Jesus follows with an even shorter parable in Matthew 13:45-46: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
Same message, different illustration. A merchant who knows the value of pearls finds one so precious that everything else becomes expendable.
What Makes the Kingdom of God So Valuable?
It's Eternal, Not Temporary
The kingdom of God represents the rule of an eternal God over everything. Unlike earthly kingdoms that rise and fall, God's kingdom is spiritual and therefore eternal. It encompasses what has been, what is now, and what will forever be.
Nothing Else Compares
Jesus' point is crystal clear: nothing is more valuable than the kingdom of God. Nothing in life is worth sacrificing more for than God's kingdom, and everything in life is worth giving up for it.
Why Don't We Always Feel This Joy?
If living in God's kingdom is so valuable, why don't we always experience joy in following Jesus? The answer often lies in our failure to fully understand the value of what we possess.
When we don't grasp the true worth of God's kingdom, we:
Hesitate to fully surrender to Jesus
Struggle to let go of earthly treasures
Follow Jesus reluctantly rather than joyfully
Continue searching for satisfaction in temporary things
Paul's Radical Perspective
The Apostle Paul understood this value deeply. In Philippians 3:7-8, he writes: "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
Paul goes even further than Jesus' parables. He doesn't just sell everything - he counts it all as "rubbish" compared to knowing Christ. This isn't extreme language; it's the natural response of someone who truly understands what they have in Jesus.
Can We Keep Our Earthly Possessions?
The Answer Is Yes (With an Asterisk)
You don't have to sell everything and move to a monastery. But there's an important caveat: your mindset must change. The kingdom of God must consume your thinking in the same way that things you value naturally occupy your mind.
It's About Worship, Not Just Possessions
Worship isn't just singing songs on Sunday. Warren Wiersbe defines worship as "the believer's response of all that he is - mind, emotions, will and body - to all that God is and says and does." We were created to worship God with every breath we breathe.
Paul describes this lifestyle worship in Romans 12:1-2, calling us to present our bodies as living sacrifices and be transformed by the renewal of our minds.
Finding Value in What's Eternal
Focus on People and Relationships
All eternal roads are lined with people and relationships. While money itself isn't eternal, generosity is. Success for its own sake isn't eternal, but influence used humbly to point others to God's kingdom is.
Embrace Humility and Service
The eternal things in life involve:
Serving others
Being generous
Loving sacrificially
Putting others' needs before your wants
Living with the humility that comes from knowing Jesus
You Are the Treasure
Here's the beautiful truth: if humanity is the hidden treasure in Jesus' parable, then you are the pearl. Jesus saw so much value in you that He sacrificed everything for just the chance of a relationship with you. He considered you worth it.
God found you so valuable that He gave up everything - not for a guarantee, but for the possibility that you would choose to follow Him.
Life Application
This week, examine what truly consumes your thoughts and drives your decisions. Ask yourself: What temporary, non-eternal things do I need to loosen my grip on? Instead of finding joy in what the world values, choose to find your satisfaction in the kingdom of God.
Consider these questions:
What would change in my life if I truly believed nothing is more valuable than God's kingdom?
How can I invest more in eternal things - relationships, generosity, and service - rather than temporary pursuits?
What does it look like for me to worship God with my entire life, not just on Sundays?
Remember, when you value the kingdom of God above all else, you can live joyfully in this world, knowing that no matter the circumstances, you know Jesus. And that knowledge, that relationship, is the greatest treasure of all.
