The merchant in Jesus’ parable ceased the project of always trading up, always angling for the next thing. He had found something that caused him to stop fretting about all the other things he could have, all the other pearls that he could find if he kept seeking. Somehow he found the clarity of understanding to say, this is what I want, and I don't have to keep pining for the next thing. Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like that.”