Monday 29 May 2006

Treasure!

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.[Mt 13.44]
And behold, a man came up to him saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [Mt 19.16-22]
He had found treasure worth more than all he possessed, but rather than joyfully giving up all to gain it, he sadly stayed too attached to the paltry things he already had.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.[Mt 13.45-46]
It is with great joy that we possess the Kingdom - with great joy that we give everything necessary, everything which would hinder our possession of the Kingdom! And are we not more rich at the end of the Day?

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