Treasure What You’ve Found!
Matthew 13
KJV
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46+ Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
In a society where the majority settles for anything this merchant is presented to us as a man of different character.
Instead of settling for anything, he chose to first investigate before making a move.
In the context as we read, the statement is about the “kingdom of heaven”, which “kingdom” is represented on earth by the church of Christ!
The lesson is don’t settle for anything ( church) until you’ve investigated its quality, and by extension take time to study before you join any religious group.
Apply the same spirit of curiosity to almost everything. Is it business, friendship, social club, marriage etc; take time to examine everything! Many have joined groups, churches, social clubs, marriages etc only to regret. Yes!
In the case of the church, many had to move from one church group to another before finally settling down with the church that is mentioned and described in the New Testament! Like the merchant, they were equally looking for a pearl of great value in terms of biblical truth/teaching and practice.
The second lesson from the action of this merchant is that he “gave up to give in ”when he found the best. One word describes what he did: commitment.
He was influenced by the phrase I’ve often used, “ Decision determines destiny “. It was a critical step, choice and decision he made.
Lack of commitment has been identified as a major factor in the failure of many an enterprise be it religious, social or economic! Commitment is the ingredient that brings to life dreams and aspirations!
You’ve heard the saying “ if wishes were horses, beggars would ride to hell” ! Yes, it is our commitment that translates dreams into reality, or else they remain wishes.
Beloved, there are many on the periphery of life, many with their heads full of dreams and wishes, but what they lack is the initial spark and commitment to turn that spark into a flame!
If you’ve given up all you had to get whatever you now have, then be committed to it else your loss will be devastating! Give heed to the Apostle John’s exhortation ;
2 John 1
KJV
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
On a lighter note, we were blessed and privileged to locate this Merchant and asked him how he felt after giving up all to get what he got; he asked instead to sing a song as his answer! And here is what he sang,
I have decided to follow
Jesus, no turning back,
No turning back!
The Cross before me
The world behind me
No turning back
No turning
Though none will
Go with me,
Still, I will follow
No turning back “
We walked away believing that we had met a mentor, a great example of what it means “ decision determining a destiny.!”
My take.