"The
kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls..." Luke 13:45
Imagine for a moment that you are invited to a special party and you go to the mall to get something new. What would you be looking for? A pretty dress, sparkly shoes, and bright nail polish? Or would you be more inclined to look for new jeans, a nice belt, and flashy earrings? We each have our own style, but whatever we get will likely be what meets our wish-list--or as close as we can get with the money we have.
Let's say you get exactly what you're looking for. It's nice. It's something you want to show off. It's worth the money you paid for it, and you wear it proudly. Who wouldn't?
Imagine for a moment that you are invited to a special party and you go to the mall to get something new. What would you be looking for? A pretty dress, sparkly shoes, and bright nail polish? Or would you be more inclined to look for new jeans, a nice belt, and flashy earrings? We each have our own style, but whatever we get will likely be what meets our wish-list--or as close as we can get with the money we have.
Let's say you get exactly what you're looking for. It's nice. It's something you want to show off. It's worth the money you paid for it, and you wear it proudly. Who wouldn't?
In many ways our lives revolve around what we have, how valuable
those things are to us, and what we're willing to do to gain them. We
walk the neighbor's dog and do extra chores around the house to get
money to buy the things we want. We go to school to get an education
that can lead us to the life we want as an adult. We search for love and
happiness. We're not content with life being meaningless and without
purpose.
But why? Why are we so driven? What makes life so valuable? What does it matter if I have a new dress or wear an old one? Why do we want the best things and the latest trends? Why do we want to do things that matter and have meaning?
When we were created by God, He gave us the inherent value of worth. He made us in His image. In Psalm 8, David says He crowns us with glory and honor. He values us. And somehow, in a way I don't completely understand, He puts that into the very fabric of our being.
In Old Testament Israel, God's chosen people had the Law to guide them, and the first items on the list were to have no other gods and to worship Him alone. Why? He wanted them to know that their value and worth came from Him. They didn't need any other gods because He would never fail them. He valued them. He loved them. They belonged to Him as His prized possession.
But some of them didn't understand. They worshiped other gods and made idols for themselves because they didn't think He would care for them. They sinned and feared His wrath and ran further away. He still loved them and promised mercy and forgiveness, but they didn't believe it because they did not see their value. So, they worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. (2 Kings 17:15)
They were still valuable to God, but they didn't recognize that and saw themselves as worthless. This is what happens when faith is missing, and we usually try to fill that emptiness with other things: pretty clothes, relationships, good grades, well-decorated bedrooms, the best technology. We want things that say we have worth.
But why? Why are we so driven? What makes life so valuable? What does it matter if I have a new dress or wear an old one? Why do we want the best things and the latest trends? Why do we want to do things that matter and have meaning?
When we were created by God, He gave us the inherent value of worth. He made us in His image. In Psalm 8, David says He crowns us with glory and honor. He values us. And somehow, in a way I don't completely understand, He puts that into the very fabric of our being.
In Old Testament Israel, God's chosen people had the Law to guide them, and the first items on the list were to have no other gods and to worship Him alone. Why? He wanted them to know that their value and worth came from Him. They didn't need any other gods because He would never fail them. He valued them. He loved them. They belonged to Him as His prized possession.
But some of them didn't understand. They worshiped other gods and made idols for themselves because they didn't think He would care for them. They sinned and feared His wrath and ran further away. He still loved them and promised mercy and forgiveness, but they didn't believe it because they did not see their value. So, they worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. (2 Kings 17:15)
They were still valuable to God, but they didn't recognize that and saw themselves as worthless. This is what happens when faith is missing, and we usually try to fill that emptiness with other things: pretty clothes, relationships, good grades, well-decorated bedrooms, the best technology. We want things that say we have worth.
That isn't to say we shouldn't have these things. Having nice things and pursuing our interests is fine, but we should see them as a way God has blessed us, not what gives us value. God gives us value, and searching for value in things only makes us feel worthless. This is idolatry. Worship is acknowledging the One who values us.
Jesus told a parable to illustrate the kingdom of God. He said, "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." (Luke 13:45-46)
Jesus told a parable to illustrate the kingdom of God. He said, "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." (Luke 13:45-46)
I believe we can take this two ways, and
they are both necessary to living victoriously in His kingdom. We must
believe God is our greatest treasure and seek Him all of our days. We
may have to leave things behind to do that, but He doesn't hide from us
and will be found. Our pursuit of Him will have great rewards.
But to do this, we must also believe we are like that fine pearl of great value to Him. You are His treasure, and He wants you to see yourself through His eyes: loved, priceless, beautiful, the very best on His wish-list; and He's never letting go.
But to do this, we must also believe we are like that fine pearl of great value to Him. You are His treasure, and He wants you to see yourself through His eyes: loved, priceless, beautiful, the very best on His wish-list; and He's never letting go.
So wear your best outfit and pretty jewelry, seek the good things God has for you, do the things you enjoy; But don't say, 'These things give me value. My worth is found in these things.'
Instead, declare this truth: "God gives me value. I belong to Him. He provides for me and cares for me. He is my God, and I can trust Him."
Photos courtesy of freeimages.com
Video courtesy of youtube.com
Instead, declare this truth: "God gives me value. I belong to Him. He provides for me and cares for me. He is my God, and I can trust Him."
Photos courtesy of freeimages.com
Video courtesy of youtube.com
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