Treasure Worth Everything

“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.” — Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

The last couple of evenings, we watched the Ken Burns documentary on Mark Twain. At one point, Twain lost his considerable wealth through a series of poor business investments. He poured money into inventions that promised much but delivered little. It’s a reminder that not everything we invest in turns out to be worth the cost.

In today’s verse, Jesus tells a very different kind of story. He describes a man who stumbles upon a treasure so valuable that he joyfully sells everything he owns to secure it. This isn’t reckless or desperate. It’s clarity. He recognizes something better and rearranges his entire life around it.

Just a few verses later, Jesus speaks of a merchant who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything to buy it. The message is the same: the kingdom of God is worth everything. Following Christ often means releasing old priorities, habits, or comforts — not out of loss, but out of joy. We trade what is temporary for what is eternal.

Like Twain, we may have invested heavily in things that ultimately fail us. But Jesus invites us into a different kind of investment — one that doesn’t fade, collapse, or disappoint. The kingdom of heaven is the treasure that cannot be lost.

So today, ask yourself: What am I investing in that truly lasts? And what might Jesus be inviting me to release so I can hold the treasure more fully?

Gracious God, thank You for offering us a treasure beyond measure. Give us wisdom to recognize what truly matters and courage to let go of what does not. Shape our hearts so we invest our lives in You, trusting that every sacrifice leads to deeper life. Amen.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tim