Gotcha!

We're not actually physically moving, at least not that God has told us yet. But last night I was mulling over the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great price from Matthew 13:44-46 and asking myself



We know for one thing that we can't actually purchase the kingdom of heaven. Salvation comes from faith in the perfect sacrifice of Christ alone, and there is nothing we can do to earn our place in the kingdom (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Yet Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to treasure and pearls, things of great financial value on earth, things that can be purchased, but only at a very great price.

What does one do with pearls and gold and precious gems?

Perhaps the first use that comes to mind is jewelry. A string of pearls is a lovely accent to a dress, and the exchange of gold rings is a common symbol of unending love at a wedding ceremony. We value these items, but styles of jewelry only last so many years before they're no longer in vogue.

Investments, however, never go out of style. Many people invest in gold and gemstones because there will always be a limited quantity, so they will always have great value. Supply and demand and all. Investments, while still temporal, have a more lasting impact than an item of jewelry. Financial investments can not only enrich your life but your children's and grandchildren's and many others' lives, as well. They multiply if executed wisely.

I absolutely believe God calls every Christian to invest financially in the kingdom of heaven through tithing and giving to the poor and supporting missionaries and ministers of the Gospel. However, while I believe each one of us should hold loosely to the things of earth and acknowledge they are all on loan from the Lord, I don't think God has called all of us to sell all of our material possessions.

Selling everything to invest in the kingdom of heaven always means that we abandon all rights to our time. It is not our time, it is God's, and if we value the kingdom enough, we will be willing to invest every moment of every day in living out the Lord's Prayer:

My house is a mess. I'm a mess. I have a baby coming in March and a million things to do before then. My list of organizational projects is long. My list of new habits to develop is longer. It would be great if I could learn a foreign language before this baby pops out, too.

All of these plans are good. They honor God. He is a God of order and peace, and that's what I'm trying to accomplish. But I'm tackling the problem from the wrong side.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

I always feel bad for Martha here because she just looks so, well, unspiritual. We always pick on her in sermons and lessons. But she, like Mary, wanted to honor the Lord. She just chose the wrong plan of attack.

We can never really do good things for God unless we seek His face first. And while I believe strongly that being orderly and disciplined honors the Lord, being able to organize our time around the stuff of this earth is second tier. Those things will be taken away.

What can never be taken away, never messed up again, is time in the presence of God. When we pursue Him with our best, our first, our priorities in this world, it is only an investment for the real deal of being in His presence continually for eternity.

You see, Martha was not all wrong. It is good to serve people with food and clean. But Mary had the order of things figured out. She chose to first fill up her soul on Jesus, so she could then serve Him and the others with them.

Time spent with the Lord can never be taken away from us. So as much as my desires to begin meal planning, maintain a cleaning schedule, and develop a writing routine glorify God, none of these things carry the weight of a lifestyle of sitting in God's presence, unhurried and unhindered.

This year, I will choose the better thing.