Rob passed out a sheet in class this past Sunday. It was an exercise.We were each give $100 to spend on various things we would like to havein our lives. Some of the items were worth $5, some $10, some $15, some$20 and some $25. I started at the bottom of this list figuring I couldget the most for my money by buying more low cost items. The problemwas as I went up the list I would find something that I knew should besomething I would like in my life, but that meant having less. It mademe really stop and think about my priorities.

Matthew 13:44-46NIV "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When aman found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all hehad and bought that field. (45) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like amerchant looking for fine pearls. (46) When he found one of greatvalue, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?

It is like a field (Mat 13:24)
Matthew13:24-30 NIV Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven islike a man who sowed good seed in his field. (25) But while everyonewas sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and wentaway. (26) When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weedsalso appeared. (27) "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir,didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds comefrom?' (28) "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him,'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' (29) "'No,' he answered,'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheatwith them. (30) Let both grow together until the harvest. At that timeI will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them inbundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

It is like a mustard seed (Mat 13:31)
Matthew13:31-32 NIV He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven islike a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (32)Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it isthe largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds ofthe air come and perch in its branches."

Is is like yeast (Mat 13:33)
Matthew13:33 NIV He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven islike yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flouruntil it worked all through the dough."

It is like a treasure worth everything a man owns (Mat 13:44)
Matthew13:44 NIV "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and soldall he had and bought that field.

It is like a pearl worth everything a man owns (Mat 13:45-46)
Matthew13:45-46 NIV "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant lookingfor fine pearls. (46) When he found one of great value, he went awayand sold everything he had and bought it.

It is like a fishing net thrown into the sea (Mat 13:47)
Matthew13:47-48 NIV "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that waslet down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. (48) When it wasfull, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down andcollected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

Is is like a King wanting to settle account (Mat 18:23)
Matthew18:23-27 NIV "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king whowanted to settle accounts with his servants. (24) As he began thesettlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.(25) Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and hiswife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.(26) "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,'he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' (27) The servant's mastertook pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

It is like the owner of an estate that hired workers (Mat 20:1)
Matthew20:1 NIV "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went outearly in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard.

It is like a king preparing a great feast for his son (Mat 22:2)
Matthew22:2-3 NIV "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a weddingbanquet for his son. (3) He sent his servants to those who had beeninvited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

It is like 10 bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom (Mat 25:1)
Matthew25:1-2 NIV "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virginswho took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (2) Five ofthem were foolish and five were wise.

Using the examples thatare listed from the verses above, the Kingdom of heaven is morevaluable than anything else you own. More valuable than all theproperty, clothes, cars, houses, money, TVs, stereos, any riches youcould possibly have. It is worth so much it would be worth sellingeverything you have, giving up everything that is valuable to you justto obtain the Kingdom of Heaven.

What kind of treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven?

It is treasure that will not rust, spoil, or be taken from you.
Matthew6:19-21 NIV "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, wheremoth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) Butstore up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do notdestroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For whereyour treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It is a treasure that will build a firm foundation for the rest of this life and the next.
1Timothy 6:17-19 NIV Command those who are rich in this present worldnot to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is souncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us witheverything for our enjoyment. (18) Command them to do good, to be richin good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (19) In thisway they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation forthe coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is trulylife.

It is a treasure that has been refined by God himself. A treasure that can make you truly rich.
Revelation3:18 NIV I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so youcan become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover yourshameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

What “other” treasures are there?

Selfish Ambition:
Matthew16:24 NLT Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to bemy follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder yourcross, and follow me.

Family:
Luke 14:26 NIV "Ifanyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wifeand children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannotbe my disciple.

The sinful nature of our flesh:
Romans8:12-14 NIV Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not tothe sinful nature, to live according to it. (13) For if you liveaccording to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit youput to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (14) becausethose who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Galatians5:19-26 NIV The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexualimmorality, impurity and debauchery; (20) idolatry and witchcraft;hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,factions (21) and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you,as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit thekingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness andself-control. Against such things there is no law. (24) Those whobelong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with itspassions and desires. (25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep instep with the Spirit. (26) Let us not become conceited, provoking andenvying each other.

Our freedom:
Romans 14:15-15:1 NIVIf your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are nolonger acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother forwhom Christ died. (16) Do not allow what you consider good to be spokenof as evil. (17) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating anddrinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (18)because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God andapproved by men. (19) Let us therefore make every effort to do whatleads to peace and to mutual edification. (20) Do not destroy the workof God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for aman to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. (21) It isbetter not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that willcause your brother to fall. (22) So whatever you believe about thesethings keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does notcondemn himself by what he approves. (23) But the man who has doubts iscondemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; andeverything that does not come from faith is sin. (1) We who are strongought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

How important is it that we give up our “other” treasures?

Luke14:27-33 NIV And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow mecannot be my disciple. (28) "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he hasenough money to complete it? (29) For if he lays the foundation and isnot able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, (30)saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' (31)"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will henot first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousandmen to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? (32) Ifhe is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still along way off and will ask for terms of peace. (33) In the same way, anyof you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Luke14:27-33 NKJV "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Mecannot be My disciple. (28) "For which of you, intending to build atower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he hasenough to finish it; (29) "lest, after he has laid the foundation, andis not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, (30) "saying,'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' (31) "Or whatking, going to make war against another king, does not sit down firstand consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comesagainst him with twenty thousand? (32) "Or else, while the other isstill a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions ofpeace. (33) "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that hehas cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV Then Jesus saidto His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him denyhimself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (25) "For whoeverdesires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life forMy sake will find it. (26) "For what profit is it to a man if he gainsthe whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give inexchange for his soul?

If Christ is the treasure we are seeking, how valuable is He?

He is the only way to salvation:
Acts4:12 NIV Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other nameunder heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

He is worth forgetting everything else:
Philippians3:7-9 NIV But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for thesake of Christ. (8) What is more, I consider everything a loss comparedto the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whosesake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gainChrist (9) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my ownthat comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-therighteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

What is valuable in God’s economy?

Christ:
Colossians2:1-3 NIV I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and forthose at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (2) Mypurpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, sothat they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in orderthat they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (3) in whom arehidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

We Are:
1Corinthians 2:9 NIV However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no earhas heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those wholove him"-

John 3:16 NIV "For God so loved the world that hegave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall notperish but have eternal life.

Wisdom:
Proverbs 16:16 NIV How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Psalms111:10 NKJV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A goodunderstanding have all those who do His commandments. His praiseendures forever.

Proverbs 3:13-18 NKJV Happy is the man whofinds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; (14) For herproceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than finegold. (15) She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you maydesire cannot compare with her. (16) Length of days is in her righthand, In her left hand riches and honor. (17) Her ways are ways ofpleasantness, And all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of lifeto those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

Proverbs2:1-5 NIV My son, if you accept my words and store up my commandswithin you, (2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart tounderstanding, (3) and if you call out for insight and cry aloud forunderstanding, (4) and if you look for it as for silver and search forit as for hidden treasure, (5) then you will understand the fear of theLORD and find the knowledge of God.