Stroll through Scripture for Sunday June 2, 2024 -
Based on Matthew 13:44–50
This week we’re going to focus on the idea that some things are worth investing in. All too often churches are afraid to talk about money. It can be uncomfortable. It can make people nervous. It can make people feel all sorts of things. From a faith perspective, money is a spiritual issue as much as it is a material thing. Our relationship with money is complicated. Add in money in church, and we are often in stormy waters.
And throw in the idea of investing — wow. It’s not just storm waters now, it’s a stormy sea. But Jesus talks about money. Jesus talks about investing. It’s not what you might hear from a financial advisor. It’s more.
“The kingdom of heaven is like…” Matthew gives us three short parables lumped together. The theme is about the kingdom of heaven, but Jesus is using things of value that his hearers would recognize — a treasure in a field, a merchant and a pearl, a net and fish. There are always two things that go together. Is there value if one is missing? Without the field, where would the treasure be? Without the merchant, does the pearl have value? Without the net, the fish can never be used.
Jesus is saying that the kingdom of heaven is of great value, and it often is in unexpected places, hidden in plain sight. It’s right there waiting for us. If we only knew how valuable it was, we’d give anything to obtain it.
Questions for Reflection:
- Where do we encounter the kingdom of heaven? How do we know? What value is presented to us?
- What are we willing to give up in order to encounter the kingdom? Are we willing to give up everything for the kingdom? Why? Why not?
- What is the kingdom of heaven like in our time and place?
Originally published at https://pastormatthewbest.com on May 28, 2024.
