“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. “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 13:44-46 NIV
Why was the man in the story so joyful? Everything he owned up until this point must have paled in comparison to the treasure he discovered in that field. He was super excited about what he had found and couldn’t wait to secure it for himself. Jesus told this little story to drive home the point that nothing is more valuable than knowing God. Whether you are wealthy or barely getting by doesn’t matter, nothing you own or could ever hope to own will satisfy you like knowing your Creator and enjoying a personal relationship with Him!
You get the impression the man just stumbled upon the treasure in the field, but the second man Jesus tells us about was intentionally looking for something of great value: fine pearls. He too was willing to sell everything he had to obtain one when he found it. Something was missing in this man’s life, something that up until this point, had never been satisfied. Have you ever felt like that? Maybe you bought into the idea of the American dream: a great job, a nice house, married with two kids and a dog? But even after obtaining all that, there was still something missing. Here’s the thing, money, as much as we enjoy having it, doesn’t satisfy completely, nor does a good marriage, a prestigious job, or happy kids. God designed each of us with a vacuum that only He can fill. Knowing Him is the only relationship that will completely satisfy and give you the fulfillment that we all strive for. Listen to these words by Paul, who before knowing God had quite a bit going in his favor.
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11 NIV
Paul had found so much joy in knowing God that he was even willing to suffer if it meant he would gain a closer relationship with Him. Spend some time getting to know Him, there is nothing more satisfying and nothing more rewarding. As you plan your future, make your walk with God a priority and you’ll be surprised how everything else will fall into balance.