What To Do With Great Value: The Pearl of Great Price

Nov 08, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of Heaven Is of Supreme Value

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field or a pearl of great price—so valuable that those who discover it joyfully give up everything else to obtain it. The true riches of God’s kingdom—salvation, the love of Christ, eternal life, and truth—far surpass anything this world can offer. When we recognize the surpassing worth of what God offers, we are called to respond with wholehearted commitment, letting go of lesser things to embrace the greatest treasure of all. [01:39:23]

Matthew 13:44-46 (NKJV):
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you tend to value more than your relationship with Jesus? What would it look like to joyfully surrender that to Him today?

Day 2: Seek First the Kingdom of God

Jesus teaches that while our daily needs matter, our first priority must always be seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness. When we put God first, trusting Him above all else, He promises to provide for our needs. This is not a call to neglect our responsibilities, but a call to order our lives so that God’s will and presence are at the center, knowing that everything else will fall into place as we trust Him. [01:45:47]

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV):
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

Reflection: In what practical way can you put God first in your schedule or priorities this week, even if it means letting go of something else?

Day 3: Beware of Letting Lesser Things Eclipse the Greatest Value

Even believers can allow things of lesser value—possessions, pride, or busyness—to overshadow the supreme worth of Christ and His kingdom. The church of Laodicea was warned that self-sufficiency and misplaced priorities can leave us spiritually poor, blind, and naked. Jesus calls us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire—His righteousness—and to let Him open our eyes so we can see what truly matters. [01:54:29]

Revelation 3:17-18 (NKJV):
"Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have become spiritually complacent or self-reliant? How can you invite Jesus to refine your heart and renew your focus on Him today?

Day 4: The Cost and Joy of Following Jesus

The story of the rich young ruler reminds us that eternal life is not gained by outward obedience alone, but by a willingness to surrender all to Jesus. When Jesus calls us to let go of what we treasure most, it is not to deprive us, but to give us something far greater—Himself. The tragedy of the rich young ruler was that he walked away sad, clinging to lesser things, while those who joyfully surrender all for Christ find true and lasting joy. [02:21:00]

Mark 10:17-22 (NKJV):
"Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?' So Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Do not defraud," "Honor your father and your mother."' And he answered and said to Him, 'Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.' Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.' But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

Reflection: What is Jesus asking you to surrender so you can follow Him more fully? Are you willing to trust Him with that today, believing He offers you something far greater?

Day 5: The Joy of Sacrificial Surrender

When we let go of things of lesser value to embrace Christ and His kingdom, we experience a deep and lasting joy that the world cannot take away. The joy of knowing Jesus, of being part of His eternal kingdom, and of living in obedience to Him far outweighs any temporary sacrifice. Let us choose today to hold nothing back, to make every sacrifice necessary, and to pursue the greatest treasure—Jesus Himself—with all our hearts. [02:24:19]

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV):
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you gave up something for Christ and found greater joy in Him? How might God be inviting you to experience that joy again through a new act of surrender?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a community to worship, to support one another, and to reflect on what truly holds value in our lives. We began by acknowledging the pain and devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa and other recent disasters, remembering those affected in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. We were reminded of our calling to be compassionate, to give generously, and to pray for those in need, recognizing that our acts of love and service are a reflection of Christ’s character in us.

As we honored our veterans for their courage and sacrifice, we also turned our attention to the deeper spiritual question: What do we do with great value? Jesus’ parables in Matthew 13—of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price—invite us to consider what we are willing to give up in order to gain what is truly priceless: the kingdom of heaven, the righteousness of Christ, and eternal life. These stories are not just about joy in discovery, but about the decisive action required—selling all, letting go of lesser things—to obtain the greatest treasure.

We explored how storms, both literal and metaphorical, can strip away our earthly possessions in an instant. Yet, the treasures of heaven—God’s love, justice, righteousness, and truth—are secure and everlasting. Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God, to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, and to be vigilant against the gravitational pull of sin that tempts us to elevate lesser things to places of ultimate importance.

The story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10 served as a sobering illustration. Though he desired eternal life and had kept the commandments, he was unwilling to let go of his great possessions when Jesus called him to do so. His sorrow stands in stark contrast to the joy of those in the parables who gave up everything for the kingdom. The challenge is clear: Will we cling to what is temporary, or will we, with joy, surrender all to gain Christ and His kingdom?

Today, the invitation is for each of us—whether we are seeking God for the first time or have walked with Him for years—to examine our hearts. Are we holding on to things of lesser value? Are we willing to make every sacrifice, to let go, and to follow Jesus wherever He leads? The greatest value is found in Christ alone. Let us seek Him, hold fast to Him, and rejoice in the promise of eternal life.

Key Takeaways

1. Joyfully exchange lesser things for Christ True joy is found when we willingly let go of what is temporary or of lesser value in order to gain Christ and His kingdom. This is not a loss, but a joyful exchange—one that brings deep satisfaction and eternal reward. The parables teach us that the act of surrender is not burdensome, but liberating, filling us with a joy that the world cannot take away. [102:34]
2. Beware the subtle pull of lesser values Even as believers, we can allow good things—work, service, possessions, or even ministry—to eclipse our pursuit of Christ Himself. The gravitational pull of sin is subtle, often elevating secondary things to primary status in our hearts. We must regularly examine our priorities, ensuring that nothing takes the place of Jesus as our greatest treasure. [112:04]
3. Obedience and surrender are inseparable The call to “sell all” is not merely about material possessions, but about a heart posture of obedience and surrender. Eternal life is not earned by works, but it is received by faith that acts—faith that is willing to let go, to trust, and to follow wherever Jesus leads. Grace empowers us to obey, and obedience keeps us close to the Giver of life. [136:18]
4. The tragedy of misplaced value The rich young ruler’s sorrow was not because he lacked opportunity, but because he valued his possessions above Christ. When we cling to what is passing, we risk missing out on the joy and fulfillment that only Jesus can give. The greatest tragedy is not what we lose, but what we forfeit by refusing to surrender all to Him. [141:00]
5. The invitation to continual recommitment Whether we are new to faith or seasoned believers, the call to seek first the kingdom is ongoing. There are seasons when lesser things creep in, and we must recommit, refocus, and realign our hearts with Christ. The Spirit convicts, not to condemn, but to invite us into deeper joy and greater intimacy with Jesus, our pearl of great price. [151:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:42] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[26:15] - Greeting Visitors and Community
[29:20] - Responding to Disaster and Service
[31:02] - Giving for Hurricane Relief
[34:03] - Honoring Veterans
[96:22] - Introduction: What to Do with Great Value
[99:23] - The Parables of Hidden Treasure and Pearl
[103:11] - The Values of the Kingdom
[105:47] - Seek First the Kingdom
[107:50] - The Parables’ Message for All
[112:04] - The Gravitational Pull of Sin
[115:27] - Gold Refined in the Fire
[121:05] - The Wessel Family: Using Wealth for God
[126:12] - The Rich Young Ruler’s Dilemma
[136:18] - The Call to Sell All
[141:00] - Sorrow of Misplaced Value
[144:19] - The Joy of True Surrender
[146:25] - Invitation and Commitment
[153:14] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[156:36] - Closing Song: When We All Get to Heaven

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Greatest Treasure

Bible Reading

Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV)
> “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 one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Mark 10:17-22 (ESV)
> And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
> But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Observation Questions

In the parables Jesus tells in Matthew 13:44-46, what actions do the people take after discovering something of great value?
According to the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22, what did Jesus ask the young man to do, and how did the young man respond? [02:16:18]
What does Jesus say is the most important thing to seek in Matthew 6:33? [01:45:47]
In the sermon, what examples were given of things that can be lost quickly, and what does this teach us about the value of earthly possessions? [01:36:22]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the people in the parables were willing to sell everything they had for the treasure or the pearl? What does this say about the value of the kingdom of heaven? [01:42:34]
The rich young ruler kept all the commandments, but Jesus said he still lacked one thing. What does this reveal about the difference between outward obedience and true surrender? [02:16:18]
The sermon mentioned the “gravitational pull of sin” that can cause us to elevate lesser things above Christ. What are some ways this pull might show up in a believer’s life? [01:52:04]
The pastor said that storms—literal and metaphorical—can strip away our possessions, but the treasures of heaven are secure. How does this perspective change the way we view loss or suffering? [01:44:38]

Application Questions

The people in the parables gave up everything with joy to gain the treasure. Is there something in your life that you sense God is asking you to let go of so you can follow Him more fully? What would it look like to surrender that with joy rather than reluctance? [01:42:34]
The rich young ruler went away sad because he valued his possessions more than following Jesus. Are there “good” things—like work, service, or even ministry—that sometimes take first place in your heart over Christ? How can you recognize when this is happening? [01:52:04]
The sermon challenged us to regularly examine our priorities. What is one practical step you can take this week to “seek first the kingdom of God” in your daily routine? [01:45:47]
The pastor spoke about the need for continual recommitment, even for seasoned believers. Are there areas in your walk with God where you need to realign your focus or recommit? What might that look like for you? [02:31:47]
When storms or losses come—whether financial, relational, or otherwise—how do you typically respond? How can you remind yourself of the lasting value of God’s love and promises during those times? [01:44:38]
The sermon mentioned that obedience and surrender go hand in hand. Is there an area where you are obeying God outwardly but struggling to surrender inwardly? What would help you move from duty to joyful surrender? [02:16:18]
The invitation was given for both new and long-time believers to “sell all” and follow Jesus. What does “selling all” look like in your current season of life? Is there a specific step of faith you feel called to take? [02:30:55]

Sermon Clips

“The two parables here presented by Jesus have one theme. They emphasize the joy and enthusiasm of discovering something of great value. And the pivotal action of selling all that one has to purchase the thing of great value. In the first case, a man discovers hidden treasure in a field. And he's happy for that discovery. And he goes and he tries to get all the money. And since he's trying to get all the money to buy the field that contains the treasure, he has to sell all that he has to buy the field that contains the treasure. The field is important because it contains the treasure. And the treasure is more valuable than the field. So he gathers the money, he sells everything, and he buys the field, and he has the treasure. Thank you, Jesus.”

“There is joy over these people in the parable because they've found something of great value. But there is not just joy. They do something to get that thing of great value. And the pivotal thing that they do, the crucial thing that they do, is that they sell everything. They get rid of what they have and what is of value to them to get something of greater value. Do you get the point?”

“What is of great value in the kingdom of heaven is first the gift of the Son of God to save humanity. That is of the highest value. And therefore, God's love, that's extremely valuable. God's justice, God's righteousness, salvation, eternal life, and truth. These are extremely valuable. Consequently, it behooves us, every human being, to recognize great value and then to do whatever is necessary to make whatever sacrifice is required to sell or trade things that we have that are of lesser value to get the greatest value.”

“We have already talked about the fact that the things that we have of lesser value, storms can take them away. We can lose them in a day. We can lose them overnight. These things that sometimes we work two and three jobs for can go in a minute. And so when we find something of great value, we are to be willing to let these things go where it is required to get the thing that is of greater value.”

“The most important thing is to seek first the kingdom of God. Martha was busy in the kitchen because Jesus had come to spend time with his friends, Mary and Martha and Lazarus. She was busy in the kitchen getting things together and she was burdened and worried. And Mary was at the feet of Jesus, listening to Jesus. And Martha was perplexing. And Martha came to Jesus and said, Jesus, tell Mary to come and help me. I'm so burdened, concerned about these things, preparing lunch and making things right for you. And Jesus said to Martha, Martha, Martha, you're worried about so many things. But Mary has chosen the best part. She's chosen to spend time with me. She is seeking first the kingdom of heaven. The food will be there. We will eat later. But now it's time to seek first the kingdom of heaven.”

“Sometimes, even though we have given our hearts to God, and we have acquired, to some extent, salvation, eternal life. You know, we have given our hearts to the Lord, and that's, we're heirs of salvation, so forth. Sometimes, sometimes, as we go about our lives, we allow things of lesser value to gain too much importance in our lives, and to eclipse that which is of greater value. This is what Jesus was saying to Martha. Hey, Mary is doing what she's focusing on what is of greater value. You're focusing on some things that are important, but they are not the most important.”

“Sin has a gravitational pull. It kind of pull us down, even as Christians, even as believers. If we are not careful, sin can pull us down and pull us away from recognizing that which is of great value. The kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of heaven, and cause us to elevate things that are of lesser value to a height of great importance. Are you with me?”

“Jesus is saying, hey, hey, church. He's talking to the church of the end of time church in the last days. And he's saying, hey, you need to buy something. You think you have it all, but you don't have it all. You think you're rich, but you're not rich. You've got some things that are valuable, but you need to get the greatest value.”

“That gold that is refined in fire, when gold is refined in fire, it has to go through a process where the impurities are burnt off and what's left is pure gold. Amen. Amen. And God says, this is what I want you to have. I don't want you to have fake gold. Eh? I don't want you. I don't want you. I see some things and I say, oh, Lord, have mercy. But having gold all over and that gold looks so fake. That's not gold tried in fire. Not gold purified in fire. You've been gypped. You've been bamboozled. You've gotten something that, Lord, let me leave that alone. It says, I want you to have something of great value. I want you to have heaven. I want you to have salvation. I want you to have eternal life.”

“But that story reminds me that sometimes, even while we're doing the work of God, we can allow things of lesser value to get in the way. I wonder if the Spirit is bringing conviction upon anybody today.”

“Eternal life is the field that contains the most valuable treasure, Jesus. Amen? Eternal life is the field that contains the most valuable treasure, Jesus. For Jesus is in charge of eternal life. Jesus is saying, I am the most valuable thing. I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. I am the pearl of great price.”

“It's not a formula that will get us into heaven. It's not calculations or theory that will get us into heaven. It's a person who will get us into heaven. And his name is Jesus. And whatever he says for us to do, we have to do it.”

“Let us bear in mind that this wealthy young man is already a believer. He has stated that he has kept the commandments, but the savior is before him. The one who is in charge of eternal life. The one who is even more valuable than eternal life. Will this believer sell all to acquire that which is most valuable? What will he do?”

“The gravitational pull of sin, lowered the value of Jesus and eternal life in the eyes of the rich young ruler and elevated his great possessions to a place of idolatry. That's what I believe happened. And so he clung to his possessions. But the Bible said that he was sad and sorrowful. That's what the devil wants to happen to all of us. For us to cling to things of lesser value and to be sad and sorrowful.”

“But let us notice, let's not end on the sad note. Let us notice that the person in the parable, in both parables, when they found something of great value, they had joy. Joy. Thank you, Jesus. They had joy. They had joy. And I tell you, when we exchange those things that are of lesser value for that which is of greatest value, we will have joy down here and eternal joy in heaven.”

“The devil will cause us to be caught up in money and things and storms will come and take them away and earthquakes will come and take them away. And some leaders may come and take them away. But when we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, when we invest in eternity, when we invest in that which is of great value, we will not lose anything.”

“The things that we give up to get, that which is of great value will be insignificant in comparison to that which is of great value. Jesus says, I am the bread of life. You hungry? I am the bread of life. I am the living water. I am life eternal. Let us seek Jesus. Let us sell all. Let us make every sacrifice and do whatever it takes to get that which is of great value.”

“Perhaps you're in the first category that the parable applies to. You have not been saved. You have not given your heart to God. But today the Spirit has convicted you that you need to gain eternal life. And you need to make a decision. You need to be willing to sell all and do whatever God tells you to do. To acquire eternal life.”

“But there may be here those who are like the rich young ruler. You are a believer. You're a commandment keeper. But somehow along the way, things of lesser value have been eclipsing that which is of greater value, eternal life and Jesus Christ and his commandments. But today you want to say, Lord, I want to refocus. I want to recommit. I want to make things right with you. I want heaven to be my priority. I want your will to be the most important thing in my life.”

“For I don't want to be like the rich young ruler. I don't want to go away with sadness and sorrow. Because I held on to things of lesser value. I want to be like the people in the parable. Who with great joy sold everything. To acquire and to hold on to that which is of greater value. And the greatest value, oh God, is Jesus.”

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