When our walk with Jesus becomes a lifestyle rather than a weekend religious exercise, we begin to enjoy the priceless treasure of life in the kingdom of God. Jesus says it is like discovering a pearl of great price. Juan Carlos Ortiz provides an interesting adaptation of that parable.
"I want this pearl. How much is it?"
"Well," the seller says, "it's very expensive."
"But, how much?" we ask.
"Well, a very large amount."
"Do you think I could buy it?" "
Oh, of course, everyone can buy it."
"But, didn't you say it was very expensive?"
"Yes."
"Well, how much is it?"
"Everything you have," says the seller.
We make up our minds, "All right, I'll buy it," we say.
"Well, what do you have?" he wants to know. "Let's write it down."
"Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank."
"Good- -ten thousand dollars. What else?"
"That's all.
“That's all you have?"
"Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket."
"How much?"
We start digging. "Well, let's see--thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars."
"That's fine. What else do you have?"
"Well, nothing. That's all."
"Where do you live?" He's still probing.
"In my house. Yes, I have a house."
"The house, too, then." He writes that down.
"You mean I have to live in my camper?"
"You have a camper? That, too. What else?"
"I'll have to sleep in my car!"
"You have a car?"
"Two of them."
"Both become mine, both cars. What else?"
"Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?"
"Are you alone in this world?" "No I have a wife and two children....."
"Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?"
"I have nothing left! I am left alone now."
Suddenly the seller exclaims, "Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine--wife, children, house, money, cars--and you too." Then he goes on. "Now listen--I will allow you to use them for the now. But don't forget, they are mine, just as you are mine. And whenever I need them you must give them to me because now I am the owner." -- Bob