Is it Worth it?

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding a one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)

The Personal Story

When I was in Oxford a friend and I went to a bookstore...shocking right? Bookstores in Oxford are like cows in East Texas (they are everywhere and they all look the same). We hit up several during the week but we were told that this one particular store had a huge theological section. The bookstore was tucked in an alleyway and you had to walk through a creepy little door which was behind a sign promoting fish and chips. As we walked into the bookstore we maneuvered in between shelves and hugged tight corners until we made our way to the theological section.

It was at this moment I heard the angels begin to sing the Hallelujah Chorus. Rows and rows, shelf after shelf of books!

We knew we were going to find something good. However, theological book buying is much different than any other book buying. 90% of the stuff that is out there is bad. 7% of the stuff is good and only 3% of the stuff is worth spending money on. As we looked we saw a few good things. But as an hour went by we began to see fewer and fewer things. No doubt we saw the bad stuff. But nothing good. I personally was looking for the “treasure”. I did find two books totaled up to 12 pounds (20 dollars). So, I was beginning to think of calling it quits…for that day, until I spotted a book in the corner. The white jacket cover had turned a light gray. I picked it up, saw the title, and “dropped” the other two books (fugitively speaking). It was Oscar Cullman’s Christ and Time. I had been looking for this “treasure” for over 2 years! It was published in 1964 and is the basic building block for my theological presupposition (that may not mean much to you but it was a huge deal for me). Not to mention on Amazon it was running about $80…used. I put down the rest of the books and bought that one for 14 pounds (roughly 22 dollars). I was overjoyed to find this gem!

The Treasure

You are probably wondering why on earth I am talking about books. Well the point is simple: as much as that book meant to me in that moment it is nothing compared to the worth of the Kingdom of Heaven. The worth and value of the Kingdom surpasses any monetary value that this world has to offer.

These two parables of Jesus show case the worth and value of the Kingdom. I’m not speaking just financial value but also in time, energy, and thought. Basically this could apply to anything we find worth or value in. Do not misunderstand me. Money, possessions, and leisure are important and I would argue necessary for our living. But compared to the salvific reign of God these temporary things became much like the 90% of the theological books on the market.

You are probably thinking that I’m saying something to the effect of “Just seek Jesus and sell everything you have because it isn’t worth anything anyway.” Much like a narcissistic monk in sixteenth century England.

However, listen to what Dietrich Bonheoffer had to say:

“So far then we are quite right; it is possible to have wealth and the possession of this world’s goods and to believe in Christ- so that a man may have these goods as one who has them not. But this is an ultimate possibility of the Christian life, only with our capacity in so far as we await with earnest expectation the immediate return of Christ.”

His point is yes, a Christian can have the wealth and possessions of this world only if the Christian recognizes these things in light of the coming Kingdom of God.

Why Bring This Up? 

Within Christianity we have to different types of theologies regarding money, possessions, and leisure. Let me example them:

·         Prosperity Theology: The basic understanding to this theology is that God wants you to be happy and the way in which this is fulfilled is by giving you the things you desire most. Specifically within our context that includes money, wealth, position, and self-worth. God blesses you through monetary things. These groups tend to have a messed up view regarding God’s grace and blessing.

·         Poverty Theology: This type of theology is held among many separatist groups such as the Amish, monks, and many holiness groups. They view money, possessions, and leisure as things that aren’t holy and godly. Therefore a rejection of the “world” is the only godly obligation for a Christian. Suffering and poverty is the primary mark of a Christian. These groups tend to be most legalist.

However, Jesus had a different view regarding money, possessions, and the things of this world.

He said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes the point that God will give you clothes, food, and things you need for living in this world, which is only by seeking the Kingdom of God first. This goes back to the point of the parables in Matthew 13. Seeking the worth and value of the Kingdom of God over against the monetary things of this world is much more important than seeking the monetary things first.

Now, I’m not proposing a “check list” of priorities. This type of thinking really distorts God’s Kingdom.  Instead I’m proposing that once we seek the Kingdom of God first for our lives then and only then can we begin to see all the areas of our life through that filter. So instead of asking the question “Am I putting God first so that He will bless me?” We should be saying “Since I am seeking God’s Kingdom how will this affect my view of money, possessions, and the things of this world?”

Only by seeing the Kingdom of God as worthy and valuable can we truly see the “all these things” in the proper perspective. Compared to the Kingdom of God they are worth nothing. But those things being used in the Kingdom of God find value and become important.

Back to Bonhoeffer’s point; A Christian can have these things only with a proper perspective of the Kingdom of God.

So is now a third option for theologies regarding money, possessions, and the things of this world.

·         Kingdom Theology: This type of theology is held by Jesus. He stated that by seeking the Kingdom first above all things allows the Christian to view their money and possessions in the proper perspective. The Kingdom is more valuable than those things and compared to the Kingdom they are worth nothing. But those things, if viewed through the filter of the Kingdom, find worth and value by being used for Kingdom expansion.

So as we reflect on these things here are a few questions to ask yourself:

·         Are you viewing the Kingdom of God as worthy or valuable?

·         Are you seeking God’s Kingdom first above all things?

·         How are you viewing your possessions?

·         Is there anything in your life that you value more than the Kingdom?

·         Are you seeing your possessions through the Kingdom filter?