Matthew 13:45-46 – 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)

On a recent trip, I purchased a cubic zirconium ring from a souvenir shop. Its huge stone and its sparkle attracted the attention of all who saw it. For a few days, I enjoyed my new ring, but then I started comparing it with the small diamond that I wore on my left hand. I had worn it for forty-nine years, and it still gave forth a small sparkle because it was a very small ring. After returning from the Korean War, my husband had spent all he possessed on the diamond and its accompanying gold band. The ring was small, but it had stood the test of time — in the quality of the diamond and the gold, and in the symbolism that it represented.

I soon grew tired of my cheap, glittering ring. It held no value for me, because it was not the real thing. One day, I looked down at my finger, and saw that the sparkling stone was gone. I had gotten what I paid for: a cheap ring.

Often in life we are led astray by sparkle and a good price, only to realize later that it was not a bargain or the real thing. The merchant in today's Scripture knew the real pearl when he found it. He sold everything he owned and bought it. The Scripture says the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

Are we willing to give up everything we own in order to possess that real pearl?

Prayer: Loving Father, help us to bypass the glitter and the fakes. Guide us to Your real kingdom and the pearl that is everlasting. Amen.

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