The Greatest Treasure
Posted by Karah
Pause
Meditate on this quote from John Piper:
“Fight for us, O God, that we not drift numb and blind and foolish into vain and empty excitements.”
Personalize that prayer and pray it today to begin your quiet time. Think about the most important things in your life, from relationships to actual items. List the top three things you treasure. Be honest.
1.
2.
3.
Now, read Matthew 13:44-45 in your Bible.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.”
—Matthew 13:44
Reread Matthew 13:44-45 and answer these questions:
-How did the men respond when they found the treasure and the pearl? Why are those reactions important? Explain.
-A parable points to a greater truth, and this parable has to do with the value of God’s kingdom. What does it teach you about how valuable knowing Jesus is?
-Jesus used the words “treasure” and “pearl”—both denoting precious, invaluable resources—to describe what it meant to know Him and be a part of His kingdom. Would you use the same kinds of words to describe your attitude toward your relationship with Him? Why or why not?
Respond
A relationship with Jesus is so valuable that it reorients believers’ lives and becomes their focus. Can you truly say He is the most important Person in your life today?
If God has used this devotion to help you see other relationships or things you’ve allowed to take His place in your life, confess those things today. Ask God to center your heart on Jesus.
Look over the list of things you treasure most. Can you follow God and still treasure those things? If not, what steps will you take to get those things out of your life and make Jesus your focus? List two in the margin.
For further study of the all-surpassing value of knowing Jesus, read Philippians 3:7-11.
Behind the Story
The man in the field stumbled on the buried treasure by accident whereas the merchant had been searching for pearls as a career. This shows that God reaches out to every person on this earth whether or not they actively reach out to Him. The world searches for meaning and purpose in many things—wealth, fame, power, to name a few—but true meaning and purpose can only be found in Jesus Christ.
The Point
When we realize the value of knowing Jesus, He becomes the focus of our lives.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions