Two of my favorite parables recorded in the Bible are the parable “A Treasure Hidden in a Field” and “The Pearl of Great Price”. They are the shortest parables we have and contain a simple message. In each parable, someone finds something of great value. They go away and sell everything they have to obtain it.
Now, Jesus is not telling us that if we get enough money together that we can buy our way into the kingdom. The message of these parables is that when we are shown the Kingdom of God (which is of great value), we’ve experienced truth and everything else is worthless in comparison. The kingdom is so valuable, so important, so beautiful that we live for it rather than everything else in our life.
All too often we let the things of this world distract us from the kingdom of God. We let financial concerns, busyness and sin get in the way of how Christ called us to live.
What does it look like to sell out for the kingdom? Live. Live for God not yourself. Use the gifts you’ve been blessed with. Your home, your car, your money to love others and introduce them to Jesus. Paul said it well when he wrote to the churches in Ephesus, Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
In short, we sell out for the kingdom. Our time, energy and resources go to living out the love and truth of Christ in the context that God has placed us in.