"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”—Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)

One of the latest trends in the world is tiny houses. People are downsizing from an average of 2,400 square feet to about 250 square feet of living space. When asked why they are doing it, typically the response is to save money and have more time to enjoy life.

There seems to be a shift in thinking about what is important for many people. Is it more stuff? Is it more time? Or is there a far greater purpose for us as a human race? Dr. Bob Moorehead described the paradox of our age this way:

“We spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less; we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, yet less time… We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner…These are days of two incomes, but more divorces; these are times of fancier houses, but broken homes… Indeed, these are the times!” 

How did society get here? We lost sight of what is most important. In today’s verse, Jesus is teaching us to refocus our attention on what matters most. We need to be more heavenly-minded and less earthly-focused. We need to see the value in eternal spiritual things and not temporal fleshly pursuits. This is only possible through the redeeming work of salvation in Jesus Christ. Listen to how author and apologist Ravi Zacharias puts it:

“When God brings us to salvation, the most remarkable thing we see is that he transforms our hungers. He changes not just what we do but what we want to do. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us—“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).”

When it comes right down to it, our true purpose lies in reprioritizing our lives so we can better honor God. When we see the value in heavenly things, we focus on things that truly matter and have lasting impact—serving God and leading others into the Kingdom!

DIG: What are the priorities in your life?

DISCOVER: How can you simplify your life to be more heavenly-minded?

DISPLAY: Arrange your schedule so you can spend more time with the Lord and sharing Christ with others!