"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went out and sold all that he had, and bought it."
Matthew 13:45-46

Sebastian Melmouth was a nineteenth century Irish author of international acclaim. He was an eccentric man seeking for the 'good of life' throughout his illustrious career. To aid in his search, he joined cults, indulged in extragavant living in the middle class Victorian society of London but he found no satisfaction in all of this. At the end of a dismal life, this novelist, better known as Oscar Wilde, penned this thought provoking proverb: "What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." Perhaps without even realizing it, Wilde had written about an element of his own character.

One of the characteristics that made Jesus unique among men was his perception of life. He knew what was valuable and worthwhile.For jesus the supreme blessing of life was to be in the kingdom of God or heaven. To help people see this, he often taught in parables- a simple style of story telling that impressed on his listeners one memorable lesson.The above parable from the Gospel of Matthew speaks of a merchant who upon finding a most magnificent pearl of great value willingly sold everything he owned to obtain that special pearl. The immense value of the Lords kingdom is recognized when Jesus compares it to one pearl of great value. Cleopatra is said to have had a pearl worth four million dollars. But the kingdom of God is worth more than all of that to the spiritually discerning seeker.Consider Moses, heir to the fifteenth throne of Pharoah, King of Egypt, he regarded disgrace for the sake of God as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt.(Hebrews 11:24-26) Later the apostle Paul would reflect that all else was rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Christ.(Philippians 3:) Take a test, which is worth more to you:the quest for wealth or a relationship with God? the approval of men or the approval of the Master? a great name, worldly riches or a quiet and gentle spirit? the world at your fingertips now or a place in heaven when you die? or is there is some of Oscar Wilde's cynic in you?

Notice the merchant did not simply admire the pearl. He paid the price to obtain it. One cannot follow Jesus into the Kingdom without paying the price, like wise know the price without counting the cost of discipleship. Jesus demands our unrivalled love fo Him and the removal of things that are inconsistent with His lordship.For the christian gives up the temporary to gain the eternal, bypasses the fake to partake in the real. We dare not mention of entering the kingdom of heaven without mentioning the compensation!
The kingdom of God offers what money or the world can or cannot buy- it simply offers eternal life! " Though it cost you all you have, buy the truth and sell it not." (Proverbs 23:23, 4:7)