By George Huang
The Kingdom of God is not merely a future destination — it is God’s rule transforming our hearts, priorities, and way of life today. In this sermon, we study the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price and discover why Jesus described God’s Kingdom as something worth more than everything we possess. These parables invite us to examine the direction and focus of our lives and ask whether we are willing to trade temporary treasures for eternal rewards.
Powerpoint presentation: English and Chinese 中文版
Actual sermon text (for search engines to read):
=== English sermon (in the English PPT) ===
Parables of the Treasure and The Pearl
Scripture: Matt. 13:44-46
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.
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.
Parables of the Treasure and The Pearl
Today, we continue with the Kingdom of God series. We will study the 5th and 6th of the seven parables in Matthew 13.
“Kingdom of God” is not a place we go — it is God’s rule taking root in our hearts and transforming our perspective and how we live.
The first four are the “Four Soils”, “Wheat and Tares”, “Mustard Seed”, and “Yeast in the Dough”.
The Parable of the Four Soils tells us the four types of people and how they can all receive the Gospel.
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares tells us why God allows false Christians to remain for a while – to save more souls.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed tells us that the Gospel and our small initial faith can grow into something great for God.
The Parable of the Yeast in the Dough tells us that God can use the negative things in life to transform us from the inside.
In three verses total, the next two parables are the shortest. They seem very similar and easy to understand.
Like the parables of Minas and Talents, we can see deeper meanings through comparisons.
These two also have similar meanings to those two parables.
In these two parables, both people wanted to get something very valuable for less money.
So much so that they both sold everything they had to get the valuable items.
But there are small differences in the parables. They must make a difference.
Otherwise, Jesus would not have told two parables. He was very deliberate in his details.
In the first parable, the treasure is hidden in another person’s field but discovered by the eventual buyer.
He sold his field to buy the field with treasures. So it might be a swap of fields so he got the treasure basically for free.
In the second parable, the pearl was up for sale in public. It was not cheap, and anyone can buy it for the advertised price.
The buyer sold all his possessions to buy the pearl. If he were wrong about its value or couldn’t find a buyer, then he is doomed.
To see the deeper meanings, we have to imagine the situations they faced.
One interpretation says the treasure parable is about salvation. The price we pay for salvation is very small.
While the treasure in the field might represent salvation, the precious pearl might represent further heavenly rewards.
It might be the difference between those who are “merely saved” and those who are “good and faithful servants.”
The discovery of the treasure was likely an accident by a very observant or lucky person.
The Parable of the Four Soils tells us that land represents humans – their minds, lives, etc.
To get the hidden treasure, the first buyer had to buy the field where the treasure is buried.
He sold his current field to buy the field with the treasure.
This change in fields represented a shift in his life’s direction and career since fields were one’s livelihood in those days.
He found the treasure in a new direction in life and took action to make that change.
This is what he faced:
Get new field w/ treasure
– Sold his current field
———————-
Net gain = the treasure
The new field likely had been neglected, and so he might have to cultivate it, but that’s a small price to pay for the treasure.
Changing the field is a symbol of giving up one’s current life, coming to Jesus, and gaining a new life in Christ.
For most people, it is not too much of a sacrifice, but they gain a treasure – eternal life – as a result.
But beyond eternal life, they can also live a more protected, purposeful, and blessed life on Earth.
In English, we call this a “no-brainer” because it seems to be an easy decision to make, at least for people in the free world.
It was such an easy and profitable decision that Jesus said the buyer was very happy to do it.
The most basic salvation is an easy decision for most people. The sacrifice is not great.
But some Christians take a giant step forward and decide to dedicate themselves fully to God.
On the other hand, the pearl was visible to all and was to be purchased directly from the current owner.
The original owner did not know the true value of the pearl. Not everyone recognizes eternal value.
He represented a person who does not understand the importance of living for God and the eternal afterlife.
But the merchant was well trained in evaluating pearls and so could tell its value was far more than its price.
Furthermore, the buyer was willing to risk all his wealth on his belief in the pearl’s value.
It takes a lot of faith to risk so much. We see that behavior in some people and organizations that pursue their dreams.
Similarly, it takes a lot of faith to follow God and give Him all that you have.
He sold all his other merchandise in order to buy this pearl. The pearl became his only merchandise.
He did it because he knew the true value of the pearl is far higher than the sale price at the time.
Still, it was a lot of risk to hold a single pricy item. He had a lot of faith in his ability to turn a profit from this pearl.
No one in their right mind would take such a risk unless the potential gains are very substantial and certain.
Maybe he already knew a potential buyer who would pay even more for that pearl?
Jesus has promised great heavenly rewards for those “good and faithful servants”. That’s the certainty we can count on.
In both parables, the buyers sold everything they owned to get the valuable items.
For the first buyer, he still owned a field that he could live on, but he also got the treasure basically for free.
The second buyer faced a much higher risk. This means the two parables have very important differences.
The main difference between the two parables is what was purchased.
In the case of the hidden treasure, the person bought the field where the treasure was hidden.
Jesus implied a deeper meaning by making the “field” the object of purchase.
In those days, the field was a person’s livelihood. He grew food on it to make a living.
So the person changed his livelihood so he could also gain the treasure.
This means that some people need to change what they do in life so they can also gain the Kingdom of God.
This may involve leaving careers that take us away from God. They may or may not be sinful.
For instance, some people are so busy that they don’t have time for God, other people, or even their own families.
Mark 8:36 – What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
By buying the field, the buyer can still use the field to make a living. But he gets the treasure too.
No matter what we do for a living, we should think about how we can fulfill God’s purpose through it.
Not everyone is called or meant to be a full-time minister, but everyone can live and do things for God.
We can get different insights about God from our different jobs and experiences and teach and help others.
You can make a living while on Earth, and earn the eternal treasure at the same time too.
Interestingly, why didn’t the original landowner find the treasure in his own field?
He probably didn’t use his field properly, and that’s why he didn’t see the treasures.
Sadly, many people waste their lives away. Their God-given resources are not used properly.
They miss out on both making contributions in this world and earning eternal rewards.
We have three T’s in our lives – Time, Talents, and Treasures. We need to use ours for God’s purposes.
They allow us to use our temporary earthly lives to gain eternal rewards in the afterlife.
There is no greater and more worthwhile investment than this.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
– Jim Elliot
As for the precious pearl, the merchant could tell the price and the value of the pearl, and bought the pearl directly.
The merchant knew the pearl is far more valuable than what he currently owned.
He could see that the real value of the pearl is far higher than the price of the pearl.
So the merchant sold everything he had to buy that pearl.
The pearl represents a person’s focus in life. Everyone can choose to dedicate himself to God or not.
We need to change our life’s direction and focus on God because eternal life is more valuable than our earthly life.
Instead of selling his previous goods, he turned his whole focus to selling the precious pearl that is worth a lot more.
Why would the merchant risk everything by focusing on the pearl?
- He knew the pearl was worth far more.
- He trusted he would gain in the end.
Even if a person knew the true value of the pearl, he still needed to decide to seize that opportunity.
Heaven and eternal life are worth it, but many do not choose to pursue it even if they know its true worth.
It takes faith and courage. Many of us are just trapped in our daily lives and feel unable to change.
Most of us are afraid to take risks and live out a life for God.
We are afraid to “sell everything” to get the field with the treasure or the precious pearl.
Do you see the value of the Kingdom of God and choose to follow God and trade your earthly life for eternal rewards?
What is your focus in life? Do you want to make the change to focus on God?
You need to give up your old treasures, however. You need to change your current focus.
Many people’s focus in life is to make money, gain power and influence, and find happiness.
But at the end of their lives, most realize that money and power can’t buy them genuine love and happiness, nor more time to live.
The reason is simple – this earthly life is temporary no matter how successful we are.
We can, however, shift our focus to God and can enjoy eternity and have eternal rewards.
John 12:24 — Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
In essence, we can trade the temporary for the eternal. We can trade the less valuable goods for the far more valuable pearl.
So the parable of the precious pearl teaches us to focus on God and use our lives for His purpose.
The pearl also represents one’s eternal afterlife. The merchant traded his earthly life for it.
Compared to the treasure in the field, it is riskier. But this is where faith comes in.
Risking for God takes faith. There is no other way.
What do you believe?
Are you willing to take the risk for your beliefs in God?
In these two parables, both persons got something far more valuable for much less money.
These parables imply that eternity is a great deal – a great investment for those who are wise enough to see it.
The parable of the hidden treasure teaches us to use our resources to earn eternal rewards.
The real issue is not whether the Kingdom is valuable.
The real issue is whether we believe it enough to change our lives for it.
We need to use our earthly lives wisely and earn eternal rewards in the afterlife.
But if you are wise and willing, you can dedicate yourself fully to God by focusing on that precious pearl.
Let’s use our time, treasures, and talents to further the Kingdom of God on this Earth and earn eternal rewards.
Many people believe in Heaven. Far fewer live like it is truly more valuable than everything else.
May one day we be reunited in Heaven with the real and eternal treasure in our hands.
May the Lord bless us all.
The following are slides not used in sermon but could be good for an in-depth Bible study.
But the merchant was well trained in evaluating pearls and so could tell this one was worth a lot more.
The actual value of the pearl was far higher than the price or cost of the pearl.
“Price” is what you need to pay to gain to get the “value”.
In other words, you pay the “price” to get the “value”.
For this transaction to work, all these conditions must be met:
- The value of the pearl must be far greater than the price of the pearl.
- The price of the merchant’s current merchandise must be enough to pay for the pearl at its current price.
- The merchant must be very confident about his assessment of the pearl’s value.
- The merchant must be very confident that he can sell the pearl and be willing to take the risk.
The last point is much easier if he already knows a buyer and the buyer has already told him about the value of the pearl.
Jesus is that buyer! He already told us that Heaven is worth it and all we need is to trust Him.
Let’s learn to see the real value of eternal life and seize the chance to get our eternal rewards.
=== Chinese sermon (中文版內容) ===
寶藏與珍珠的比喻
經文: 馬太 13:44-46
天國好像寶貝藏在地裡，人遇見了就把它藏起來，歡歡喜喜地去變賣一切所有的，買這塊地。
天國又好像買賣人尋找好珠子，遇見一顆重價的珠子，就去變賣他一切所有的，買了這顆珠子。
寶藏與珍珠的比喻
今天我們繼續「神的國度」系列講道。我們將學習馬太福音13章中的七個比喻中的第五及第六個。
「神的國度」不是一個要我們去的地方，而是神的統治要在人心中紮根，改變我們的想法及生活方式。
前四個比喻分別是 「四種土壤」、「麥子和稗子」 、「芥菜種」和「麵酵」。
四種土壤的比喻告訴我們四種類型的人以及他們如何都能接受福音。
麥子和稗子的比喻告訴我們為什麼神允許假基督徒暫時留在教會–是為了拯救更多的靈魂。
芥菜種的比喻告訴我們福音和微小的信心能為神成長茁壯。
麵酵的比喻告訴我們：神能藉人生的苦難及罪惡從內心改變我們。
接下來的二個比喻是最短的比喻 – 總共三節的經文。 它們看起來非常相似並且容易理解。
就像一碇銀子和才幹的比喻一樣，我們比較它們時可以看到更深層的含義。
那兩個比喻與這兩個比喻的含義也很相似。
在這兩個比喻中，這兩人都想用比較少的錢來得到更有價值的東西。
他們甚至都賣掉了他們所有的一切去換得那有更高價值的物品。
這兩個比喻之間的差異很小。那些差異一定很重要，否則耶穌不會講兩個比喻。
在第一個比喻中，寶藏是隱藏在另一個人的田中，但被後來的買家發現。
那買主賣掉自己的田，買下藏有寶藏的田。等於是換了一塊田，卻白得了寶藏。
在第二個比喻中，珍珠是公開出售的。那珍珠並不便宜，且任何人都可按標價購買。
那買主變賣一切來買那貴重的珍珠。若他看錯價值或賣不掉，那他就會一無所有。
要看見更深含義，我們要想像他們面對的處境。
有一種解釋認為財寶的比喻是關於救恩。我們為救恩付出的代價其實很小。
田中的寶藏可能代表救恩，珍珠則可能代表更大的天上獎賞。
這可能是「僅僅得救的人」與「忠心又良善的僕人」的差別。
那發現寶藏的買家可能是一個非常善於觀察或幸運的人。
四種土壤的比喻告訴我們：土地代表人的內心與生命。
為了獲得埋藏的寶藏，第一個購買者必須購買藏了寶藏的田地。
他為了買那有寶藏的田地，他賣掉了他現有的田地。
轉手田地代表著他一生的事業和方向的變化，因為農田地是當時人們的生計。
他找到了一個有寶藏的人生新方向，並採取了行動來做出改變。
他面臨的情況是：
獲得有寶藏的新田地
– 賣掉他現有的田地
—————
淨收益=寶藏
那新田地可能已荒廢，需要重新耕種，但這代價很小。
更換田地象徵放下舊生命，歸向基督並得著新生命。
對大多數人來說，這犧牲並不大，卻能換得永生的寶藏。
除了永生之外，今生也能活得更蒙保守、更有意義。
這可說是「不用多想的決定」(“a no-brainer”),至少對自由世界的人而言如此。
這決定既容易又划算，所以耶穌說那人歡歡喜喜地去做。
對大多數人而言，最基本的救恩代價其實不大。
但有些基督徒更進一步，決定完全奉獻給神。
在另一個比喻中，所有人都可以看到那珍珠。有興趣和錢的買主也可以直接從賣主那裡購買。
原本的主人不知道那珍珠的真實價值。不是所有人都了解永生的重要性。
但是這比喻中的商人在珍珠估價方面訓練有素, 所以他看的出來這顆珍珠的價值比當時的價格更高許多。
此外，這買主願意為自己對那珍珠價值的評估來冒險。
冒這麼大的風險需要很大的信心。我們看到一些追求夢想的人及組織有這樣勇敢冒風險的行為。
同樣的，跟隨神並把你所擁有的全部都給祂也需要很大的信心。
那買珍珠的商人出售了他所有其他的商品才能直接購買那珍珠。這珍珠成了他一切的貨品。
他之所以這樣做是因為他知道這珍珠的真價值遠遠高於當時的價格。
但是，持有一個昂貴的物品仍然具有很大的風險。他得對他能獲得的利潤有足夠的信心。
若回報不夠巨大又確定，沒有人會願意冒這麼大的風險。
也許他已經知道有一位買家會願意出更高的價格來買那顆珍珠？
耶穌應許那些「忠心又良善的僕人」將得著極大的天上獎賞。
在兩個比喻中，購買者都出售了他們擁有的所有物品以獲取有價值的寶物。
第一位買家仍有田地可維生，卻幾乎白白得了寶藏。
第二位買家承擔更大的風險。這顯示兩個比喻有重要差別。
這兩個比喻之間的主要區別是所購買的東西。
對於藏在田裡的寶藏，該人購買了藏了寶藏的田地。
耶穌以「田地」作為購買對象，暗示了更深層的含義。
在那些日子裡，田地是一個人的生計。 他在上面種農產品來謀生。
這個人基本上決定改變了他的生計，因此他也可以獲得藏在那新的田地裡的寶藏。
這意味著有些人需要改變自己生活的方向才能也獲得神的國度。
這可能涉及離開使我們遠離神的事業。它可能是有罪的，也可能不是有罪的。
例如說，有些人很忙，以至於他們沒有時間去追求神，照顧其他人甚至他們自己的家人。
馬可福音 8:36 – 人就是賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？
通過購買新田地，那買者仍然可以利用那田地為生。但是他也得到了寶藏。
無論我們如何謀生，我們都應該考慮如何通過它來實現神的旨意。
不是每個人都被任命或適合做全職的傳道人，但每個人都可以為神而活和為祂做事。
我們可以從我們不同的工作和經歷中獲得對神的不同見解，並教導和幫助他人。
你可以在地球上謀生，但也可以同時賺取永恆的寶藏。
有趣的是，原本的地主為什麼沒有發現在自己的田地中的寶藏？
他可能沒有好好的用他的田地，這就是為什麼他沒有看到寶藏的原因。
可悲的是，許多人浪費了他們的生命。神所賜給他們的資源沒得到適當的利用。
他們錯過了在這個世界上做出貢獻和獲得永恆獎勵的機會。
我們人生中有三個 “T” – 時間 (time), 才能 (talents), 和財富 (treasures)。我們需要好好的使用它們來為神工作及為人服務。
它們使我們能夠利用暫時的世俗生活來換得永生的獎賞。沒有比這更大更值得的投資了。
「那付出他留不住的東西來獲得他不能失去的東西的人不是一個傻瓜。」 – Jim Elliot
至於珍貴的珍珠，商人可以看到它的價格和看出來它真正的價值，然後直接購買它。
商人知道這顆珍珠的價值遠遠大於他現在擁有的財寶的價值。
他也看的出來那珍珠的價值遠遠高於那珍珠的價格。
因此，商人出售了他的一切去購買那珍珠。
這個每個人都能看到的珍珠代表一個人生活的焦點。每個人都可以選擇要不要專注於神。
我們要改變我們生命的方向並將焦點轉向神，因為我們知道永恆的生命比現有的俗世生命更值得。
他不再專注舊貨物，而是全心專注那更珍貴的珍珠。
為什麼那商人願意冒一切風險，專注於那顆珍珠？
- 他知道那珍珠的價值遠超一切。
- 他相信自己最終必有所得。
即使人知道那珍珠真正的價值，他仍需要決定是否抓住那機會。
天堂及永生是值得的，但是即使人們知道它的真正價值，許多人也不選擇去放下一切去追求它。
這需要信心和勇氣。
我們中間許多人被困在日常生活中而感到無法改變方向。
我們大多數人都不敢冒險去為神而活。
我們害怕我們需要去「賣掉一切」來獲得寶藏或珍貴的珍珠。
你是否看到了神國的價值然後跟隨神，並用地上短暫的生命來換取永恆的獎賞？
你的生活焦點是什麼？ 你是否想改變以來專注於神？
但是你得需要放棄舊的財寶。你得放棄你現在的焦點。
許多人的生活的焦點及目標是賺錢、獲得權力和影響力、並找到快樂。
但是在生命的盡頭時，他們很多才意識到金錢及權勢無法換得真愛、幸福、或更多的時間。
原因很簡單 – 無論我們多麼成功，這塵世的生命都是暫時的。
但是，我們可以將重心及焦點轉移到神身上，可以享受永生並獲得永恆的獎勵。
約翰福音 12:24 – 我實實在在地告訴你們：一粒麥子不落在地裡死了， 仍舊是一粒 ; 若是死了，就結出許多子粒來。
基本上，我們可以將暫時的換成永恆的。我們可以將價值較低的財寶換成價值更高的珍珠。
因此，珍珠的比喻教我們要專注於神，並要為好好的利用我們短暫的生命來達成祂的目的。
珍珠也代表著一個人永恆的來世。那商人用他短暫的世俗生命來換得了永生的獎勵。
與買那有財寶的田地相比，買這珍珠的風險更大。但這就是要靠那人的信心。
為神冒險需要信心。 沒有其他辦法了。
你相信什麼？
你願意為你所信的神冒險嗎？
在這兩個比喻中，兩個人都用較少的代價買到了更有價值的東西。
這兩個比喻都暗示著永生是非常值得的。對於那些看到永生的明智人來說是一筆極好的投資。
隱藏的寶藏的比喻告訴我們如何利用我們的資源來獲得永恆的回報。
真正的問題不是神的國是否有價值。
真正的問題是：我們是否真的相信它值得我們為它改變生命。
我們需要明智地使用我們在世上的生命，使我們能來世獲得永恆的回報。
但如果你有智慧並願意，你可以專注於那顆珍珠，並將自己完全奉獻給神。
讓我們好好利用我們的時間、資源、和能力，在地球上進一步發展神的國度並賺得永生的獎賞。
許多人相信天堂及永生的存在。但真正把永生看得比一切更有價值而活的人，卻少得多。
願有一天，我們拿著真正并永恆的財富在天國團聚。
願主賜福我們每一位。
以下內容未用於講道，但適合更深入的聖經研讀。
但是這比喻中的商人在珍珠估價方面訓練有素, 所以他看的出來這顆珍珠的價值比當時的價格更高許多。
「價格」就是為了獲得「價值」所需要付出的代價。
換句話說，你得付出那貨品所定的「價格」才能獲得那它的「價值」。
要完成這交易，以下條件都必須成立：
- 那珍珠的價值必須遠高於它的價格。
- 商人現有貨物的價值必須足夠買下那珍珠。
- 商人必須非常確信自己對珍珠價值的判斷。
- 商人必須非常確信自己能賣出那珍珠，並願意承擔風險。
如果他早已認識買家，並知道對方願意高價購買，最後一點就容易得多。
耶穌就是那位買家！祂早已告訴我們天堂是值得的，我們只需要信靠祂。
願我們學習並了解永恆生命的真正價值，並抓住機會來獲得永恆的回報。
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