Faith and Purchases

Do you ever differentiate between buying something or purchasing something? I find most people use the word “buy” when they do their normal shopping, like groceries or gasoline. When I hear the word “purchase” they usually use it for larger ticket items like a car or a home. The word purchase means to gain something by paying for it. The archaic meaning includes to get or achieve with effort or suffering. In Matthew 13, Jesus is busy teaching several parables which involve purchasing.

In the parable of the hidden treasure, he describes a man who discovered a hidden treasure in a field. Some translations describe him as a trespasser. No matter how he found the treasure, he recognized it for what it was. He carefully hid it again. Then he went and sold all he had to purchase the field, just so he could have the treasure.

Next Jesus shares the parable of the precious pearl. A merchant (maybe a jeweler?) was looking for choice pearls. When he found one, he sold all he had to purchase that precious pearl. He knew the value of that pearl. As a young believer, I always thought that this parable was to encourage us to give up our life for the Lord. We were purchasing Him! But now, I see Jesus is the jeweler! We are the precious pearls that He is seeking. The purchase price was high. It cost Him His life. He and His Father decided we were worth it. Amazing, isn’t it? Read the following scriptures and focus not only that He purchased us, but the rest of the included package!

He purchased our salvation. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1: 14 Colossians 1:14 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

He purchased us for a purpose. If you are feeling small, inadequate or invisible; please know you are precious to Him. As the days grow darker, we must remember this truth. As I read the story of the pearl, I pictured the man putting this pearl in a very safe spot. We are safe in His embrace. As I meditate on the value He gives me, I also must accept the valuation He gives to my brothers and sisters. He purchased them for the same price.

We can trust Him when He asks us to make a purchase for His kingdom with our time, treasure or talent as well. It will always be worth it in the end, no matter what it seems like initially.

Father, I thank you for constantly reminding us of your love and care. I ask that you help us remember you purchased us for our forgiveness of sins, freedom from those sins, to become your own people who glorify your name. Help us view others in that same light. We are your precious pearls and we are so grateful.