"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… Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:44–46, KJV).

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:20–21, KJV).

In two short parables, Jesus revealed the mystery of the Kingdom through simple yet powerful imagery—a hidden treasure and a pearl of great price. Both stories point to something of such immense value that a person would joyfully give up everything to possess it.

The first man stumbled upon treasure buried in a field. Realizing its worth, he hid it again, sold all he owned, and bought the field. The second was a merchant actively searching for fine pearls. When he discovered one of incomparable beauty and value, he sold everything to purchase it.

These parables challenge our definition of "treasure." In a world obsessed with wealth, possessions, and personal success, Jesus redirects our focus toward eternal value. The kingdom of God and His Word are treasures worth far more than anything this world can offer.

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The Treasure in the Field: The Word of God

Jesus' parable begins with a man finding treasure hidden in a field. In ancient times, people often buried valuables to protect them from invaders or thieves. Many never returned to retrieve them, leaving great riches buried for generations. In this story, the man understood what he had found. He sold everything to buy the field—not for the dirt, but for what was hidden beneath it.

Likewise, the Word of God is our treasure. It may appear ordinary, a book with pages and ink, but within are the riches of divine truth, comfort, and eternal life.

"I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:162, NKJV).

Recognizing the Value

Not everyone recognizes the worth of this treasure. A family in the Philippines once found old coins, jars, and ancient paper bills while renovating their backyard. Unaware of their historical value, they sold them at a pawnshop for a low price. What they dismissed as ordinary would have been priceless to collectors.

In the same way, many overlook the treasure of God's Word because they fail to recognize its value. Some even own a Bible—tucked away on a shelf, gathering dust—while searching elsewhere for peace, wisdom, or purpose.

But when we truly uncover the value of Scripture, it changes everything. The man in Jesus' parable didn't merely admire the treasure—he acted on his discovery. He sold everything because he understood its incomparable worth.

Loving and Living the Word

To treasure something is to cherish and guard it. Just as we protect a precious heirloom or favorite possession, we must value the Word of God even more. Some people hide their favorite snacks, so no one touches them, but do we hide God's Word in our hearts the same way? (Psalm 119:11.)

If our phones can provide weekly screen-time reports, we can also set aside daily "Bible time." Before scrolling through social media, let's "Face the Book."

If we open our Bibles only on Sundays or in midweek services, we miss the joy of daily transformation. The Word of God is not merely information, it is nourishment for the soul, our spiritual vitamins and strength.

The Example of George Müller

George Müller, a man of great faith, read the Bible nearly two hundred times—many of those readings while on his knees. Yet even after a lifetime of study, he humbly said, "I know too little about the excellence of Christ." His words remind us that no matter how long we walk with God, there is always more to discover in His Word.

In 2021, a U.S. survey revealed that only 11 percent of Americans read their Bible daily, and just one in five read it at all. Meanwhile, people ...