True Treasure

"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."

Matthew 13:44-46

Boys especially seem to love stories of treasure hunts. I guess it appeals to their adventurous spirits in searching for and finding something valuable that has been long lost. My little guys have stashed away their own "treasures" in secret places (which makes cleaning under the beds or chairs an adventure for me too). I often find small and simple items that really have no actual value (an eraser, a bird feather, etc.). Often, after these items are recovered, we realize they were long forgotten and now unwanted. (I guess it's a good thing we didn't sail the high seas and brave one-legged pirates in search of these.)
I used to think we were a society that treasured the wrong things; money and the possessions it can buy, recreation and the fun it provides, status and fame. But, though that is still somewhat true, instead, now I believe that we have become a society that no longer treasures anything. It seems that most people have nothing that they greatly value today. We have acquired the money and possessions in this richest nation on earth, and they are wasted, unappreciated, overlooked, and discarded. We have had prolific opportunities for more kinds of recreation than likely any people ever in civilization, yet, we just drop one thing and go on to the next. There were too many social ladders to climb and too many opinion polls to try to satisfy. Sadly, even the things that truly do have value have become easily discarded too; things like: LIFE, MARRIAGE, LOVE, HONOR, RESPONSIBILITY.
Could we be described as an undisciplined, unpassionate lot? Are we a bit disillusioned with the whole ordeal? Is there nothing that invokes a passionate pursuit in us anymore? Have we lost hope that there is anything worth valuing; anything worth spending our whole lives to gain?  
C.S. Lewis profoundly said it this way, "Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
We should not lack desire. In fact, we are to have strong desire, but for the right thing. I get the impression this guy Jesus talks about in the verses above was pretty passionate and excited about this treasure (or pearl). Still, I wish we had more details. I'm curious what exactly he gave up to gain it. Was he already wealthy by the standards of his society? Would folks think he was strange or impetuous in selling it all? Did he have to part with some family heirlooms and prize winning livestock and things he spent his whole life acquiring? 
Then, I wonder just how long it took him. Did he linger over the decision, think about holding anything back, spend time advertising and try to get the best price for his stuff? Or did he pull a U-Haul right up to the auction house and dump it all out at once? I think maybe he was standing at the field owner's door at the break of day with cash in hand. I don't know, but I like to imagine. 
Can you picture yourself in this story? What would it take for you to gain the kingdom of God (of course, it can't be purchased - it's a free gift; but aren't there things you need to "trade-in" - the "mud pies")?
The Bible says this guy was overjoyed to do it. He sure wasn't feeling sorry for himself, pining about what he gave up. He was completely satisfied, because the value of what he gave up paled in comparison to the value of what he gained. I love John Piper's words, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."  Even in this disillusioned world in which we live, there really is something worthy of our greatest desires. There truly is something worth pursuing. It is a kingdom with a Great King who is worthy of us giving up everything else we hold. This kingdom brings true satisfaction and joy. I wonder, do we value it as the treasure it truly is?