Jesus liked to tell a good story. Matthew wrote in his gospel (Matthew 13:34):

“Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” 

Story telling has been the Lord’s preferred way of explaining things to us, especially when we have trouble relating. For instance it is difficult for us to imagine what Heaven is really like. So, one day Jesus sat down and told several stories about the kingdom of God. Here is an excerpt (Matthew 13:44-46).

“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.

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

The kingdom of Heaven is worth everything. That is why the merchant and the farmer sold all their possessions to purchase the field with the hidden treasure and claim the pearl. Selling out is heaven’s mindset. God gave everything to restore a lost relationship. And we give everything to own the hidden treasure, the lost pearl. Finding heaven, we have found all that matters.

Heaven runs on God’s kindness, but the world we have created runs on money to a large degree. In the Garden of Eden everything was provided for. Mankind in its infancy needed no money. Naturally that has changed after our departure from Paradise. Outside of Eden we have to work in order to sustain ourselves and we have to pay taxes to support our local government.

Beyond the burden of paying bills day by day, paying attention to the Lord is the most important thing to do. He is our priceless treasure.