Treasure Hidden in a Field

Oct 22, 2012 | by Richard Lee MC ’14

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buy that field.” –Matthew 13:44, ESV

In this perhaps the shortest parable in the entire Gospel, we see a man who sells his entire possession to buy a field with the hidden treasure. It seems odd at first, for why would he sell everything? I ask this question, in part because I have struggled through many reading comprehension exams, but pause and imagine that you are walking through a field and discover a trove with gold, diamonds, gems and 500,000 shares of Apple stock. You are shocked. You want to claim the treasure, but your conscience tells you not to steal, for it is on another man’s property. If we truly “believe” or “have faith” in this situation, then it is natural that we would sell all that we have to buy the field with the hidden treasure, which is worth infinitely more than anything we have.