What's Your Pearl? (Jan 31)

Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a really expensive pearl. When a merchant man found it, he said, it was so valuable that he would give up everything else in order to obtain it. Jesus also likened the kingdom of heaven to a treasure in a field. When a man found it, he said, it was so valuable that he would give up everything else so that he could buy the field and rightfully own the treasure.

Matthew 13:44-46

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Have you seen Jesus? Have you heard His call in your life? Have you seen the glory of God and His grace that He wants to impart to you? Have you seen the kingdom of heaven that God is offering to you? How valuable is it to you? If you had to buy it, how much would you spend? If you had to trade for it, what would you give up? If God asked you to give up everything, is there anything that you would hold back?

You see, if you see God's offer and it is valuable to you, so valuable that it is like that valuable pearl to you, then you would be willing to give up anything and anyone in your life in order to obtain it, just like that merchant man in Jesus' parable. But if there is anything that you think that you might hold back, then I think we might have just discovered what your pearl is. What are you holding onto instead of letting go of all in order to grab all of God's promises? Is it really a pearl of greater price than the God that is above all else?

Revelation 2:2-5

2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

You have seen God. He is that one precious pearl that is more valuable than anything that you could ever imagine. But in your hands is a little pearl, not worth much, that you refuse to release. You are holding onto it because you love it; it is valuable to you and you can't bear to see it go. Even when faced with the glories of God's richness, you hold on to your dear pearl: your dear worthless pearl.