Back to Calendar

Reflections: Daily Devotions in Disability Ministry

The Budget

August 9, 2010

Matthew 13:45-46
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.(NIV)

Do you know what a budget is? It is a way of spreading one’s money around or dividing it up to pay for all the things a person needs to spend it on.

A household budget means some money needs to go first as an offering to God, then some for food, some for clothing, some for housing, some for transportation, some for savings, and hopefully, some for fun. No one is ever able to spend all their money on just one single thing. Our money always has to be spread around to pay for many different things.

The man in our Bible story or parable, however, does spend it all on one thing. He is a man who buys and sells pearls and is always looking for the perfect pearl. When he finds it he is overjoyed. He can’t wait to own it. He sells everything he has and spends his last penny to buy the beautiful, perfect pearl he’s found.

Crazy? It doesn’t seem like he has much sense. But notice the comparison. The Bible says this is like the kingdom of God. You might wonder…how is the kingdom of God like finding the perfect pearl?

To be a part of God’s eternal kingdom is simply worth more than all of our earthly treasures combined. We don’t really buy it. Being a part of God’s eternal kingdom was given to us by Jesus. His death on the cross is what really bought us a place in his kingdom.

This parable helps us to remember that belonging to God’s kingdom through Jesus is worth more than all the money or things we have. Being a part of God’s kingdom is the pearl of great price.

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us parables in the Bible to help us understand Your love for us more clearly. Thank You for making us a part of Your kingdom, our most valuable possession. Amen.

Rev. Michael Schempf, Chaplain – WI
http://bethesdalutherancommunities.org/resources/spiritualResources/pmc.asp

Back to Devotion Calendar