Tuesday, August 16, 2022

It costs Everything

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 13:45-46

There is a children’s book, The Precious Pearl, based on the verse above. In the story, a wealthy man sees a rare pearl in a shop.

Unfortunately, it costs more than the man has—he would have to sell everything to buy the beautiful pearl. He eventually sells everything, except his favorite hat with a floppy feather, and returns to the shop. When he still comes up short, the merchant says he will sell him the pearl if the man also forfeits his favorite hat. The man hands it over and receives the pearl.

Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

Jesus is like the pearl. If we want to follow Him, we can’t be stuck on the things of this world. Like the precious pearl, it costs everything to follow Jesus, but once we do, we realize He is worth more than anything else. Nothing this world offers will ever fulfill you as much as a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Will you give up everything, even your most treasured possession, to have that pearl?

Further Reading

• Matthew 19:16-24
• 2 Chronicles 1:11
• Proverbs 28:11