How do we measure value? In human experience, we might say that property, or precious metals and stones, or stocks in a company hold value. These hold material value that can affect the quality of our lives through providing the means to acquire a better lifestyle. We might also consider relationships valuable, such as with a spouse, or family, or friends. Peace of mind and having a sense of fulfillment in life can also be seen as having value. Seeing our lives having a positive influence on people or in the world around us is also something we may consider precious.
Jesus revealed that the Kingdom of Heaven is something so precious, we should drop everything to make sure we gain access to it. He shared two parables dealing with the intrinsic value of the Kingdom. Both parables are found in Matthew 13 and provide vivid pictures of how we should view being subjects in the Kingdom of Heaven.
A Call to Sacrificial Seeking
In Matthew 13:44 NLT, Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.” The second parable is similar and is recorded in verses 45-46 NLT. They read, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
Discovering hidden treasures makes for a delightful story. Books and movies regarding seeking treasures hidden for centuries have been an engaging genre of story for generations. Stories like King Solomon’s Mines and Raiders of the Lost Ark have captivated generations of readers and movie goers with the appeal of sudden riches.
We can become captivated by the idea of finding a treasure. Lotteries feed on this desire within human beings to obtain instant riches to generate millions of dollars in ticket sales every month. Have you ever entertained the thought of what you would do if you won a large lottery? How would $10,000,000 change your life? I have thought about it. It is especially tempting when life is hard, and money is tight. It is this kind of desire to which Jesus is referring in His parables. The human desire to make life easier is strong. In human experience, riches are seen as the way to make life better. People will ruin their financial future in pursuit of the big payoff. We will endure unhealthy work situations for a paycheck that provides greater monetary benefits or greater prestige but hinders living a fulfilling family life.
There was a story published on February 14, 2025, 1 about a man who threw away a hard drive in 2013. The hard drive is now in a landfill outside Cardiff, Wales. The significance of the hard drive is that there is a key to bit coin on the hard drive that is valued at least $800 million. James Howells accidentally threw the hard drive away without pulling the bitcoin key. In recent years, Howells has attempted to buy the right to dig in the landfill and is now attempting to buy the landfill to recover the bitcoin key. Talk about a modern illustration of Jesus’ parable.
Benefit of Eternal Life
What makes the Kingdom of Heaven so precious that Jesus would equate it to things of such obvious value? There is both an objective and subjective answer to that question. From an objective perspective, Jesus promises eternal life to those who put their trust in Him. Entrance into His kingdom is by faith and has a narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14). Eternal life is the long view of faith. It is the idea that when the body we inhabit on this earth dies, we will spend eternity with God in a place of unimaginable joy and peace. Paul stated that the suffering we endure on earth cannot compare to the glory we will experience when we are with God in eternity (Romans 8:18 CSB).
Jesus was explicit in explaining the future judgement that every human being will experience. We will either be accepted into an eternity with God or be forever rejected from His presence (Matthew 7:21-23). Imagine, we can choose either pain and suffering for eternity, or peace and joy simply be choosing today to enter the Kingdom of Heaven by faith.
Benefit of the Holy Spirit
But eternity with God is not the only benefit of belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said that those who trust in Him will have rivers of living water flowing from within them. Jesus said this in reverence to the Holy Spirit Whom He would send when He was resurrected from the dead, John 7:38-39. This benefit of citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven is more subjective. It is a personal experience with the Holy Spirit inside each individual.
Jesus expanded on the role of the Holy spirit in the believer’s life when He addressed His disciples on the last night they were together before His crucifixion. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. John 14;26 CSB. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to not only guide and teach us, but as a guarantee of the future fulfillment of all His promises 2 Corinthians 1:22.
Most of us go through times of stress and indecision. Life will throw some curveballs at us. Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit gives us a resource inside of us to bring us wisdom for confusing times, peace in turmoil, joy amid sorrow, and an inner sense of fulfillment despite what life throws at us.
For me, this present-day presence of the Holy Spirit in my life sustains me and gives me courage and encouragement to move through each day. His presence also gives me confidence that He will fulfill all His promises to me and to all humanity.
One Prerequisite
All these benefits are enjoyed by those who accept by faith that Jesus Christ is Lord. As Paul wrote in Romans 10: 9-10 if we believe in our hearts that Jesus is raised from the dead and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved from God’s wrath and be citizens of heaven’s kingdom.
The most precious of the benefits of the Kingdom and the one thing upon which all benefits depend is the forgiveness of sin. David wrote in Psalm 1, blessed is the man whose sin is not held against him. It is this personal redemption that makes the Kingdom of Heaven so treasured.
So when Jesus compares the value of the Kingdom of Heaven with earthly treasures, He is not saying that becoming a citizen of the kingdom will bring wealth and honor, but He is saying that the benefits of the kingdom are as personally life changing and valuable as sudden wealth and we should drop everything and run to engage with Him to gain access to the kingdom.
How much do you value your soul? Entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven is all about you no longer being a slave to sin and being alienated from your Creator, our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is about you and me entering relationship with our Creator through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and His work on the cross and at the empty tomb.
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- https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/14/uk/james-howells-landfill-bitcoin-gbr-intl-scli/index.html