(Groaner alert!) A man walks into a butcher shop and says to the butcher, “I’ll bet you $100 you can’t reach that meat you’ve got hanging from the top shelf without a ladder.” The butcher looks up and says, “Sorry, I can’t take that bet. The steaks are too high.” (Can’t say I didn’t warn you.)
When it comes to taking a risk, most of us would rather play it safe. We don’t take chances because we might lose, maybe because of a past negative experience or a lack of self-confidence. But when we listen to the parables in today’s gospel, Jesus is saying that when it comes to God, we shouldn’t be holding back but going all in and risking it all. For example, when a poker player goes all in, they risk it all because they believe they have the best hand. Jesus is asking us to do something kind of similar with our lives – to go all in, or to give our whole heart to God, not just a little piece.
The Parables
Think about the one who finds a treasure buried in a field. He is so joyful that he sells everything he owns so he can buy that field. We know that there weren’t any banks back then to protect their treasures. Therefore, it was not uncommon to bury it in a field. This man knew there was something there that was worth giving up everything. That’s how Jesus wants us to see the Kingdom of God. It might appear out of the norm to others, but it’s worth everything we have.
Then we have the parable of the pearl. Pearls were incredibly valuable in Jesus’ time, but no pearl was worth selling everything you had because you would never make a return on your investment. But that’s exactly the point. The man wasn’t buying the pearl for its market value, but because it meant everything to him. And it’s the same for us following Jesus. It may not make sense to a lot of people, but it makes total sense if we see that there is nothing of greater value than the kingdom of heaven.
Defining What’s Valuable
What do you see as being valuable? (Think beyond monetary value.) What is important enough to you that you arrange your entire schedule around it? Is it sports, online shopping, or binge-watching TV? Maybe it’s your job? Is it sleeping in on the weekend? Is it time spent scrolling on your phone? Would you give up all of these things (or sell all that you have) to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Jesus is not saying that we should spend all our money on a risky investment or to sell everything that we own. Jesus is telling us that there is something that is worth more than anything else and should be our top priority – and that is our relationship with God. It is worth more than money, success, comfort, material possessions, or popularity. When we see the value of God’s love for us, nothing else compares and no sacrifice is too big for being part of God’s kingdom.
Next Steps
So, how do we live this message in our daily lives?
- Recognize Real Value: Are we spending our energy on worldly treasures (wealth, distractions) or on the treasure of God’s love? We often spend hours digging through the dirt looking for treasure buried in our busy schedules, sports, gaming, or social media. I challenge us to sell (give up) some screen time or a packed schedule for just one evening to buy (hold onto) the treasure of a family game night or dinner together. With the parable of the net thrown into the sea, maybe we need to regularly look at our habits and keep what brings us closer to God while discarding what causes selfishness or even division. Ask, “Is this activity helping me get closer to Jesus, or is it holding me back?” Don’t think of this as a boring sacrifice, but as a joyful trade-in.
- Pray for Wisdom: Like Solomon in our first reading, ask God for the wisdom of an “understanding heart” to discern what is truly good. Instead of praying for perfect children, a stress-free life, or more income, we need to pray for the wisdom to know how to respond to a distant teenager, a family crisis, or those burdened with emotional challenges – and to do so with Christ-like patience and love.
- Go All In: Jesus is asking for our whole heart, so following God should be a “want to” and not a “have to.” Once God becomes the center of our lives, everything else falls into its proper place. Here’s our challenge this week. If you typically skip daily prayer, try setting aside just ten minutes a day to talk with God. If you seek vengeance against your enemies, forgive them instead. If you struggle to put others first, do one act of kindness for someone who won’t or can’t repay you. These small adjustments show that you’re willing to trust God and risk it all. The goal is focus on Jesus so that we can love and follow him.
What Does This All Mean?
When we have a relationship with God, we will experience the joy the world cannot give. And once we find it, we can’t stay who we once were. We will be completely changed from the inside out – because true joy is found in seeking and following Jesus – and that’s what being all in and risking it all looks like.
My sisters and brothers, the parables of the treasure and pearl are simple, but their meaning is big. God is inviting us to give our whole heart and trust him completely. So, what’s holding us back? Whatever it is, know that the treasure of the kingdom is worth so much more. Don’t play it safe. Take a chance and go all in, because risking it all for Jesus is the wisest choice we can ever make.
What do you do if you have trust issues? Find out here.
