Parable of the Treasure and Pearl

This sermon is what I did at New Life Church on the 30th of Novermber 2008.  It was part of 3 seperate 10-15 minute sermons by three of us at the church.  I will post a link to the MP3 of all 3 as soon as it is available.

Matthew 13: 44 – 46

44″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.  45″Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
These two parables both illustrate the same point. Both the treasure and the pearl represent the Kingdom of God. To understand the significance of these illustrations, we should first understand the “mind-set” of the people Jesus was speaking to.

Back in Jesus’ time, there were no banks that ordinary folk like you and me could deposit money in, or store our treasured possessions with. Thus it was very common for people to store “treasures” in the ground. This was for them considered the safest place!

With regards to a pearl, today, I can go down to any local jewellery store and buy a cheap fake pearl necklace, or even buy an oyster for less that £20 on the Isle of Wight with its very own pearl. However, back then Pearls were considered extremely valuable. They were considered a highly desirable item. They were not easy to come by either! People went to great risks to gather pearls, including swimming down to sea beds to collect them! Remember this is back when oxygen tanks, and scuba equipment did not exist, not to mention health and safety!

Quote:  People desired to possess a lovely pearl, not only for its monetary value, but also its beauty. They found joy simply in possessing and looking at a pearl.

Both Parables,  show 2 very different ways that the person concerned came across the item they want most to posses.

In the parable of the treasure we see a man chancing upon treasure in a field, then going away, selling all he had and purchasing the field so he could possess the treasure stored in the grounds. That can be true in modern times of how people come to salvation. They can be going about their every day lives when they chance upon the salvation message and are so convinced they pursue it.

In contrast, the pearl was actually being searched for. I am sure that the Merchant had seen that day many different pearls and valuable stones, perhaps he had even had the opportunity to handle some of them, too look at them closely and examine their different qualities. However, this one pearl was more special than any he had seen, and he was convinced it was the one he wanted to purchase.

This too can be likened to those who spend their lives searching for the answer. There are many “pearls” out there, for example other religions, or the draw and promises of fulfilment from the world. However when one finally finds Jesus, one is convinced of the message, and they wish to possess the Kingdom.

Let me tell you a story:

A merchant was hunting for precious pearls in a market place when he finally found the most amazing, beautiful and valuable pearl he had ever seen. The “Hope Diamond” of pearls.

He said to the store owner, “How much for that Pearl”? The store owner replied “Everything you have”.

With a some thought the merchant eventually said. “I’ll take it, here is everything I have”, as he laid down his wallet, his credit cards, cheque book and gold ring.

“Thank you”, replied the store keeper. “Here is your Pearl”.

“Great” replied the merchant, “I cant wait to get home and display this beautiful pearl”.
“Home?” Replied the store keeper. “But I thought you said you had given me everything?”

The merchant paused for some time, then realizing that this pearl was still worth far more than all his money and his house combined, he handed over the house keys.

“Right, with that done”, said the merchant, “I off to my car I…..” he kicked himself.

“CAR?” replied the store keeper? “Did you not say you would give me everything you had”?

The merchant, again considering the value of the pearl against his money, his home and his car gladly handed over the keys.

“OK”, said the merchant, much more cautious now! “Thank you. I will leave you with my possessions and go to show my friends this beautiful pearl”.

“FRIENDS???” Exclaimed the Store Keeper!

Now you can imagine how this story goes on. Needless to say, the merchant does eventually give up absolutely everything that he has to possess that Pearl.

We are seeing a common theme in these two parables. The men were convinced of the VALUE of their find, and were willing to give up everything to attain it.  We see this in this too with the story of Jim Elliott.

Jim Elliot once wrote: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

This has even more impact when we see that Jim actively lived this saying, in life giving up all to study the Bible, to be obedient to God, and even evangelizing in places others had never been nor had dared to reach.  Eventually both he, and 4 companions met their death at the hands of the Waodani tribe of whom they had been sharing the Gospel with.  Amazingly this led to an outpouring of funding for overseas evangelism, and when 2 of the widowed women returned to the place their husbands died, many were saved.

Jim gave everything during his life for the Kingdom, and eventually even his life.  From his death the Lord was able to bring forth even more fruit.

Give up everything? Who said anything about giving up everything?

How much does the Kingdom cost? Is there a Recommended Retail Price that you must pay?

Let me get something straight. You certainly cannot purchase the kingdom of God! There is no price tag. For example, when a man offers money to the disciples to have what they have in
Acts, Chapter 8 vs 18 – 21,  Peters reply is:
“…May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God…”

The Kingdom is a gift of by the grace of God. The Lord does not require us to make a payment for our salvation, so what point are these parables making?

Well there is a difference between saying there is no cost, and saying it will cost YOU! To put it more clearly, there is no cost to receive the Kingdom, however there is a cost to you to possess the Kingdom.

The cost to us is the world. We can’t posses both!

Looking at our own lives, what do we think it would cost us? Perhaps status in a group of friends, perhaps our home, perhaps even a job?

The cost is giving up your love for the world. Not longing for those things of the world and holding onto them, but forsaking all for the Kingdom. For there is great reward both on earth and in heaven promised us.

Matthew 6:19-21
19″Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20″But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think about it. The rewards from the world are temporary, they do not last forever, even great emperors of the ancient days are merely crumbling statues if remembered, or recorded in history at all!

The reward the Kingdom offers, is that treasure, is that amazing pearl. Is eternal life through Jesus Christ, and reward in heaven.

Remember what Jim Elliot wrote: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Here is an example of a man who obviously hadn’t grasped this concept! Lets take a look at the following story of a Young Rich man in Marks Gospel, who approached Jesus, asking “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus reply in Mark 10:21-22:

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The Young Rich man doesn’t realize what is on offer here! He doesn’t understand the amazing eternal VALUE of the Kingdom above those temporary riches he owned. He was not willing to pay the price, to take up his cross.

Is there anything that could be holding you back? Pride? Fear? An addiction? Wealth? A Relationship? The need for Approval?

Remember these wont last. They are temporary. They do not offer lasting satisfaction. Treasure stored in these places will not last for eternity. You should not consider these your “safe place” to store them!

We need to sort out our perspective. Everything we have, our possessions, home, car, clothes, need to be looked at in a different light! We need to look at them as wholly and completely given to God. In your heart you give it all to God, and in return, you become a steward of what is now Gods! How much more will you respect your wife and family knowing that they are the Lords, and that you charged with caring for them?! How much more will you appreciate the things that God generously blesses us with?

We also need to examine the things in our lives that we do, or are a part of. Do they glorify God? Are they God centered. If you are struggling with a stronghold, in a bad relationship, approval addiction, or anything that is not of the Kingdom, you need to completely give that to God also. Having faith that he will set you free.

We need to acknowledge that the Kingdom of Heaven IS the Pearl, IS the Treasure that really is worth everything. That possessing the Kingdom will completely fulfil us, and that we will have great joy in being a part of it. That simply possessing the Kingdom is reward enough to more than cover an worldly “loss”. And the fact that the Lord then promises further reward is a testament to his amazing Grace. What an amazing God! Amen?

Perhaps today you are not a Christian.  Have you recognised for yourself the true value of the Kingdom?

Jesus said in John 3:16 “…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life…”

This is an amazing gift, more valuable than any earthly treasure or pearl, and is being offered to you today.  Please come and speak with us after the service if you would like to know more.
If you are a Christian, and have been challenged by today’s message.  Perhaps there are areas of your life that you have not given completely over to Jesus, then we will be more than happy to talk with you and pray for you after the service.

Where are you storing your treasure today?

Remember Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.