Proper 12 (2023)

If you made a list of the priorities you have in life, what would be at the top? Faith, family, and vocation might head the list of many. What if you kept going? What else would you list as very important for your life? Financial security might be high. Health and friends would have to be there. Reputation and recreation would probably make the cut.

A more interesting question is not “What would you consider your life priorities?” But “which of the items on the list would you be willing to sacrifice to save your top priority?”

What if you had to give up the whole list: friends, family, finances, health, reputation, and recreation to save just one priority?

The words of scripture for this Sunday call for an uncompromising assessment of what really matters in this life:

the Kingdom is worth everything because it is the Greatest Treasure.

Recognize its value

44 “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.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Treasure its worth

44 “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.

46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

To Jesus, You are the Greatest Treasure

the Kingdom is worth everything because YOU ARE the Greatest Treasure.