Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Centuries ago, a nobleman gave a famous actress a Bible, and told her that there was a
treasure inside. Thinking he meant religion, she laid the Bible aside. Years passed and the
actress died, and all she had was sold. The person who bought the Bible, found tucked into
its pages, a bank note for $2,500. Poor creature! Had she read the book, she would have
found 2 valuable prizes; the $2,500 note, and the "pearl of great price."
Matthew 13:44-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which
a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has
and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine
pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had
and bought it.
Jesus talked a lot about heaven and its eternal riches. But often we forget Jesus’ teachings
about the impact of those riches in our lives today. We forget that in order to inherit those
heavenly riches, we may need to distance ourselves from earthly riches today.
Now, the Bible doesn’t tell us to live a pauper’s life, owning nothing. But it does warn
that our stuff shouldn’t own us. We need to live our lives with open hands, ready to receive
what God gives, and ready to share what have. It may even mean offering all you have for
His glory, and possibly your own spiritual liberty.
How are you living today? Are you like the actress, unwittingly possessing the splendor
of heaven while living an unfulfilled earthly life? Or is it time you traded in your limited
earthly priorities for a relationship with Jesus. If you do, you will never be sorry.