The Pearl

"the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45-46 NKJ)

It seems almost anathema to mention valuable pearls in the same sentence with yard sales and flea markets. Yet, many stories exist about people who discovered very valuable items in a bargain shop, yard sale or flea market. And in that sense, bargain-hunters are very much like the pearl merchant in the Lord's illustration above.

In 2005, Philadelphia resident Norma Ifill hunted bargains at a local flea market. She found a rare piece of jewelry, a necklace designed by American sculptor Alexander Calder, and purchased it for $15. Ifill's necklace is currently on sale at Christie's, where it is expected to sell in the neighborhood of $200,000 to 300,000 dollars. Now that's a neighborhood!

When such stories circulate, many people complain about how "it always happens to someone else and never to me." Yet, we must honestly acknowledge that finding a valuable pearl doesn't "just happen" to anyone. It only happens to those who are searching for pearls. In fact, that is why we call them "bargain-hunters." They are hunting for bargains. They are looking for something more valuable than its current price.

Of course, bargain-hunters have a diversity of purposes and goals. Some just like to rise early and peruse the community yard sales. Others like the challenge of possibilities (what might be available somewhere at a bargain price). Still others search for a specific range of items they know possess greater value than the flea market price.

But each "hunter" will eventually find a "must have" item. The price won't matter. The item's intrinsic value will outweigh all other considerations, including a wife's indignation. The bargain hunter will make the sacrifice, whatever it may be.

Aha! This is the point. The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than the current price placed on it. This pearl has such immense value that each hunter will sacrifice all that he/she has in order to possess it.

Dear Father, thank you for showing us the value of your Kingdom. Empower us with the insight to see its intrinsic value and the fortitude to sacrifice everything to possess it. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Discover the pearl today,