“And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.” (2Chronicles 25:9)
Amaziah began to reign in Judah when his father was assassinated. He was only 25 years old. He gathered 300,000 from Judah to go against Edom (the children of Seir). He also hired 100,000 from Israel to fight with them. But a prophet came to him and told him that God was not pleased with Israel. If he went to war with the help of Israel, he would be defeated. (2 Chronicles 25:1-8) Amaziah’s response is in verse 9. The hundred talents he had given to the army of Israel would be a loss if he decided to send them home. They certainly wouldn’t give it back to him.
The man of God’s answer was, “The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.” There are some things in our lives in which we have invested much. It may be education, possessions, position, reputation or fame. But these things that cost us dearly in time, energy and money are nothing compared to what the Lord can give us.
Paul understood this. He wrote that all he was in the world he considered dung compared to knowing Christ. “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:5-8) He relinquished all his accomplishments, his background and upbringing, his reputation and education for what Christ had for him. What Christ gives us is more costly, more precious and valuable than anything we may gain in the world. The apostles understood this and accepted even death for the Name of Jesus.
Jesus tells the parable of the pearl of great value. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly 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) The benefits of the kingdom of God are priceless. They can’t be bought or gained by any means. All of our worldly achievements are worthless and unable to purchase them. They are freely given by the Lord to those who believe and have surrendered all for Him. “And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23-25) The merchant sold all he had to purchase the pearl of great price. The pearl of great price is received by an exchange of all we have for it.
The rich young ruler was unable to part with his possessions, riches and accomplishments. (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-30) He had done all he could to gain a goodly reputation, position and possessions. He thought that he could gain the kingdom of heaven in the same manner. He was willing to do anything. But he’d worked too hard to get where he was to give it up to follow Jesus. The kingdom of God is like that pearl of great price. The merchant searched for it. We must seek the kingdom of God. And when we find it sell all we have for it. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
I know I’ve shared this illustration before. But I love it. Jesus is offering us so much more, but we want to cling to the tiny and insignificant things of this world.
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