Taking Risks in the Kingdom

Matt.13:44-46 – Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Vs.44 – The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man who found treasure in a field. He hides it, goes back in JOY and sells ALL he had in order to buy this particular field.

- CHECK OUT THE RISK FACTORS INVOLVED HERE:
What if, after he went away to sell his things and before he came to purchase the land, it was sold to someone else OR if the landlord decided not to sell it?
What if … the treasure had belonged to the owner & before selling decided to remove that treasure and sold just the field? After all, the deal is only for the field.
There is a high possibility that he could have ended up with something of less value, and worse, with nothing at all?

Vs.45,46 – The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man who was searching for fine pearls & when he found it, he went and sold everything he had & bought this pearl.

- THE RISK FACTORS HERE ARE:
What if, before this man came back to buy this pearl, it was sold to someone else or what if there was INFLATION and it was still not affordable?


These are 2 short parables with a great challenge for our temporal life, here on earth!
Yes, the treasure has been found, in most cases - as we know the way to Heaven - but what do we do between NOW and until the time it’s fully attained?

The 2 men in the parable took a potential RISK in selling something which was till then their possession, in exchange for something better, as perceived by them.
Could it be, they were getting rid of something which might have been a hindrance in obtaining what they wanted?
Simply put, they were OBSESSED with the idea of getting what they thought was the END-ALL & BE-ALL.

I am personally challenged that we can attain nothing, I mean NOTHING, when we don't attempt a risk. Salvation is free, of course - but the process of getting there is not 'risk-free'.
There is nothing to pay back, yet something to do, in order to experience the extra-ordinary!
Peter, needed to risk his life, when he stepped out of the boat - to actually see he could walk on troubled waters.


I also see a level of INTEGRITY in the first parable, where this man would not take away the treasure saying, "Finders, Keepers" – if he would have done that, there was no risk involved & no selling his things (he could have had both, maybe) – but, he considered the treasure to be part of the field, which he didn’t own, unless and until he paid for it!

Notice that he was JOYFUL about selling his prized possession, for what will be his NEW priced possession.
It's not doing it with a heavy heart.
When we are joyful, it makes it that much more easier to cope with 'risk-taking'.

These men had a CAUSE for taking such risks. What is ours today? Is the Kingdom of God worth our efforts, i mean the risk-taking efforts?

The parable doesn’t go into many details, but presents the value of the Kingdom of God and how we are to long and search for it, even if it means letting go off things we are holding on to, which might hinder us in gaining possession of the things which are worth more!

Risk-taking in the Kingdom doesn't necessarily mean, walking on a tight-rope with no safety belts. Because the safety for us is the One who is calling us to step out, believing He is there and the assurance that He will be with us!

Never mind, if we don’t know the full contract and the T&C in getting to heaven … because we have a God, who is able to give abundantly and more than what we can ask or even imagine.
If at all there are fine prints, it will only be in our favour.
God had our benefits in mind, when He RISKED in sacrificing His only begotten Son.


Are we willing to take that risk?
Don’t worry, Jesus would say to us: MAIN HOON NA (~ I am right there!)
Let's step out in FAITH, to what God is calling us into!