Does your business invest in Kingdom impact?

Ken Gosnell March 5, 2021

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You can find value in the most unlikely places. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells two parables to His disciples about money, profits, and value. He says, "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" (Mt. 13:44-46).

The idea of a hidden treasure is both exciting and enticing. The perspective of finding something of value when you least expect it can inspire hope in even the most apathetic of individuals.

In the Matthew 13 parables, Jesus teaches His disciples that Kingdom impact is a valuable thing and can often be found in unlikely places. Although these two parables contain just a few words, they include a significant message for the "well-done" leader.

First, note the parable of the barren field. The man who looked to buy a field found a treasure. Jesus taught that "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." The unproductive field became fertile ground for a future hope.

In this parable, the future landowner had no worries about purchasing the field since he knew that it would produce a significant return. Because of his certainty, he sold all that he had to go and buy it.

Jesus reminds the business leader that spending a lifetime toiling in a field is different from building a field ripe for a harvest that will be shared for eternity. The best thing that can often be done in business is to focus on the things that will outlast the business—such as people's souls. It is wonderful to sell someone a useful product, but it is much better to help a customer find a truth that will forever change where they spend eternity.

The second parable is about a man who searched for fine pearls. He is aware that the treasure exists and is on a noble pursuit to find it. He is an aware leader, but one whose rewards have eluded him. However, Jesus states that "when he found one (pearl) of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

The repetition of the idea of selling all to gain everything is significant. Maybe these parables are what led missionary Jim Elliott to state that "he is no fool that gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

The good news is that in God's economy, the investor never gets shortchanged. God has value all around for those interested in finding rare rewards. He will often surprise those that search for Him with the most valuable gifts of their life—the gifts of eternal salvation and eternal significance. He just asks us to be willing to give up all we have to receive all that God has for us.

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Ken Gosnell is CEO and Servant Leader of CXP (CEO Experience). CXP is a premier coaching and executive roundtable business that serves Christian CEOs in Washington DC, Maryland and Florida. Ken serves leaders by helping them and their teams to have great experiences that both transform the leader and their organizations to go further faster. Learn More »

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