Kingdom of Heaven: Treasures of the Heart
When discussing our salvation through Christ, we often focus on the end goal of reaching a pure, positive relationship with our God. But for some of us on the path to finding salvation, the road can be rocky and filled with sacrifice- things we must leave behind to find true peace in Him.
One verse that discusses giving up things to explore and refine our faith is found in Matthew. As an inspiring book filled with Jesus’s teachings, Matthew is dotted with parables that help us learn the true value of God’s Kingdom. Today, let’s explore Matthew 13:44-46, and what this story tells us about the path to salvation.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all he had and bought it.” — Matthew 13:44-46, NASB
In this verse, the Kingdom of Heaven is described as having so much value that sacrificing everything for it seems obvious. The men who gave up their life’s belongings to follow God might not represent all of us, but the concept of forfeiting our previous habits or ideas should resonate, especially in our modern world.
The cost of salvation is a topic we Christians don’t discuss as often as we should. While our ultimate fulfillment in Christ is meaningful, it normally means giving up short-term gratification or even long-term relationships.
The truth is that, in today’s age, seeking God can be a tough uphill battle against our former selves. As we learn about His grace and love through scripture, worship, or conversations with fellow believers, we move closer to Him- but seemingly away from what the world wants us to be.
We live in a time where worshipping ourselves or others is easier than ever, normalized, and even encouraged. From social media to rapid consumerism, we’re constantly chasing after validation whether it’s keeping up with trends or buying the latest products.
More people than ever before have turned their backs on Christ, and even religion as a whole. From money-hungry preachers who put profit over praise, to people who are conditioned to believe religion is simply a set of arbitrary rules, we see people stray away from God on a newfound scale.
The real power of salvation is not short-term, instantly rewarding, or a quick fix. Our brains are so used to finding immediate satisfaction that we struggle to look at the bigger picture, and this can lead people away from finding peace in the Lord. It might seem frustrating to spend an entire lifetime working on your relationship with Him when we’re so used to things happening right here and now.
But the value of God’s Kingdom is uncontested for that reason—it provides a lifetime’s worth of work toward Him, stability in our faith, and a solution to our problems over a longer period. When we realize this, we should feel immense joy in the foundation He has provided for us to live our most fulfilling lives, and be willing to give up short-term feelings for His everlasting love.
The saddest part of this process can be losing people who can’t recognize this value in the same way. After we change ourselves to be what God wants us to be, and live out his word, some of our friends or even family members may not be willing to give up that immediate satisfaction for salvation. We can end up losing people we thought would always be in our lives because our values and beliefs don’t align.
Whether it's material possessions, habits, relationships, or old belief systems, we will always have to make sacrifices to walk with God. The beauty of these sacrifices is what we gain back after we’ve lost something that doesn’t line up with our path; peace, love, joy, and grace from the love of Christ.
It’s tough to let go of the things we’re used to. But focusing not on what we give up, but on what we get back, is the mindset we need to adapt to.
As a practical application of this teaching, try to sacrifice something in the long term. Think of a bad habit you might have, that you know is holding you back, and recognize it. Remind yourself that though it might feel good right now, it is ultimately preventing you from reaching your full potential and finding your true self.
Read up on related scripture, and pray to God about this habit now. Ask him to help you give it up, for what you will receive in return.
Let’s close this reflection on salvation with a general prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me recognize and address the habits, beliefs, and relationships that hold me back from You. Assist me in overcoming my need for instant satisfaction, and help me instead to focus on long-term peace and faith. Remove the things that do not serve me, or that obstruct my path to Your eternal salvation. Thank you for the gifts you have given me and the things you have already removed to make space for better ones.
I pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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