“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
— Matthew 13:44
Vincent van Gogh first began to experiment with impressionist techniques during his Parisian period, the time from 1886 until 1888. The Dutch artist wrote to his sister in 1887: “Last year, I painted almost nothing but flowers to accustom myself to colors other than grey, namely pink, soft or vivid green, light blue, violet, yellow, orange, beautiful red.”
In 1993, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced that it had authenticated a previously unknown work of the painter from the Parisian period. Purchased at a French flea market after World War II by a Swiss family and kept in their attic, Still Life (Vase With Flowers) fetched millions of dollars at auction.
Quite often, we don’t see the immediate value of what we have. This is especially true when it comes to our riches in heaven. You see, what you have in Christ is much more valuable than any riches the world could throw your way. Yet many people treat their relationship with Jesus as an inconvenience or a burden they’re just hanging on to in hopes of eternal life.
The most priceless possession you have is your salvation in Jesus Christ. God’s great gift to you will never be surpassed in its value. So treasure it… and consider it more valuable than anything else you own!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the salvation He’s offered to you in Jesus Christ. Pray that you’d continue to hold Him higher than anything else!
Questions for Thought
Have there been times in your life when you’ve treated the world’s riches as more valuable than your relationship with God?
How can you avoid thinking of Jesus as simply insurance against hell and move to a point where you’re building a real relationship with Him?