The Kingdom's Greatest Treasure: Prioritizing God Above All

In our fast-paced world, we're constantly juggling priorities. Family, career, finances, and personal goals all vie for our attention. But what if we've been looking at it all wrong? What if there's a treasure so valuable that it makes everything else pale in comparison?

The concept of the Kingdom of Heaven isn't just a far-off ideal. It's a present reality that invites us to live differently right now. When we talk about the Kingdom of Heaven, we're not referring to a physical place, but rather to living under the rule and reign of Jesus. It's a radical shift in perspective that changes everything.

Colossians 1:13 tells us that God "has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son." This transfer isn't just a change of address – it's a complete transformation of our identity and purpose.

But what does life in this Kingdom look like? Romans 14:17 gives us a glimpse: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, the Kingdom offers something different – a deep-seated peace that defies understanding and a joy that persists even in the face of hardship.

Consider the story of a woman whose husband was dying of cancer. When asked how she could remain so peaceful in such a dire situation, she replied, "My husband deserves to go to hell like you and me. But because of Christ in the kingdom, in a few hours my husband will be with God in heaven. He will stand in the presence of God accepted. Is that not worth rejoicing about?" This profound joy, rooted in the reality of the Kingdom, can baffle those around us but serves as a powerful testimony to the transformative power of living under God's reign.

Jesus often used parables to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom, comparing it to hidden treasure or a pearl of great value. In Matthew 13:44-46, we read:

"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."

These parables challenge us to consider: What do we truly treasure? What drives our decisions, our pursuits, our late-night worries? For many of us, it might be family, career advancement, financial security, or maintaining a certain image. While these aren't inherently bad, Jesus is calling us to a radical reordering of priorities.

The Apostle Paul, once a man of great status and achievement, came to see things differently. In Philippians 3:7-8, he declares, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."

This perspective shift isn't about neglecting our responsibilities or relationships. Rather, it's about allowing our love for Jesus to infuse every aspect of our lives, teaching us to love others better and fulfill our roles with greater purpose and effectiveness.

But here's a challenging question: Do we sometimes view the things of God as burdens rather than blessings? Do we grudgingly give our time, resources, or energy to spiritual pursuits while eagerly pursuing worldly pleasures? It's time for a change in perspective. Instead of seeing what we might be "missing out on," we need to recognize the immense privilege and joy of participating in God's Kingdom work.

Take the example of a man who chose to fast for 40 days, skipping breakfast and lunch to seek God. When asked about missing out on delicious meals, his response was simply, "It was so good. I enjoyed the presence of God." This challenges us to see spiritual disciplines not as burdens, but as opportunities to experience the sweetness of God's presence.

So how do we practically prioritize the Kingdom of God in our daily lives? Galatians 5:22-25 offers some guidance:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

First, we must daily ask the Holy Spirit to fill us, guide us, and help us desire God's Kingdom above all else. This isn't about willpower, but about surrendering to God's transformative work in our lives.

Second, we need to actively "crucify the flesh" – choosing to put God first in our decisions, time management, and pursuits. This might mean waking up earlier to spend time in prayer and Scripture, reevaluating our use of social media, or being intentional about serving others.

For those who have never experienced a relationship with Jesus, there's an invitation extended – an opportunity to drink of living water and never thirst again. It's a call to surrender everything for the one thing that truly satisfies.

And for those who have wandered from their first love, there's good news: We serve a God of second chances. He's not holding a grudge; He's eagerly waiting for us to return to Him as our greatest treasure.

As we learn to treasure the Kingdom above all else, we'll find that everything else falls into its proper place. Our marriages, our parenting, our work – all of it becomes infused with greater purpose and joy when we prioritize our relationship with Jesus.

So let's challenge ourselves: What needs to change in our lives to make the Kingdom our greatest treasure? How can we cultivate a passion for God that overshadows everything else? As we pursue this, we may find ourselves living lives that perplex and intrigue those around us – lives marked by an unshakeable joy, a profound peace, and a love that transforms everything it touches.

This is the adventure of Kingdom living. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. Will you accept the invitation to make the Kingdom your greatest treasure?