What If Heaven Was My Treasure?

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field… then in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Living the Sermon on the Mount Through the Practical Wisdom of Jesus' Parables

I've seen people in the ER make instant decisions when the stakes are suddenly clear. No hesitation. No negotiating. When you finally see what's real, you act. That's this man. He didn't stumble onto treasure and then make a pros and cons list. He saw it — really saw it — and everything else became secondary in about thirty seconds. The word Jesus uses is joy. Not relief. Not resignation. Joy.

That word exposes me a little. My surrenders tend to be slower and grittier — more reluctant obedience than glad abandon. But I don't think the problem is my willingness. I think it's my vision. The kingdom doesn't become worth everything because I try harder to believe it is. It becomes worth everything when I actually see it for what it is. Clarity does what commitment alone never could.

What if…the things I'm holding onto most tightly are simply signs that I haven't yet seen clearly what I already have in Him?

Lord, I don't want reluctant obedience — I want joyful surrender. Open my eyes to the treasure I already possess, so that what I've been clinging to quietly loses its grip. Amen.

Let's do this together.

Founder, IHS Global