Matt 13:44-47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. NKJV

The little girl was almost five. Waiting with her mother in the checkout stand, she saw them – a circle of glistening pearls in a pink foil box.

Her mother checked the price - $1.95. She looked at the little girl and said, “If you really want them, I will think of some extra jobs for you, and if you save your money, you can have them in no time. Not only that, but your birthday is about one week away, and I’m sure your granny will give you a nice new dollar bill for your birthday."

As soon as Jenny got home she counted all the pennies in her piggy bank - $0.17. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores, and she then went to her neighbor’s house and offered to pick her dandelions for $0.10. After working hard that week, along with the crisp new dollar she got from Grandmother, she had enough money to buy the pearls.

She loved those pearls. She wore them to Sunday School, kindergarten, and even to bed. The only time she didn’t wear them was when she went swimming, or took a bath, because mom said that they might turn her neck green.

One night daddy came in, and after he read her bedtime story (as he did every night) he asked her, “Jenny, do you love me?”

“Oh yes, Daddy. You know I love you.”
“Then give me your pearls.”
“Oh Daddy, not my pearls. You can have Princess – the white horse from my collection. You know, the one with the pink tail that you gave me. She’s my favorite.”
“That’s okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. And he kissed her cheek.

One week later, after story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, “Jenny, do you love me?”
“Oh yes, Daddy. You know I love you.”
“Then give me your pearls.”
“Oh, Daddy. Not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful, and I will give you the yellow blanket that matches her pajamas.”
“That’s okay. You sleep well. God bless you, Jenny. Daddy loves you.” And he missed her again good night.

A few nights later Daddy came in, and he saw Jenny sitting on the bed with her legs crossed, like an Indian. He noticed her chin was trembling and a tear was rolling down her cheek.
“What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?”
Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her hand up to Daddy. In it was the little pearl necklace, and she said, with her voice quivering, “Here Daddy. It’s for you.”

With tears in his own eyes, Jenny’s daddy reached out with one hand to take the little dime store necklace, but in his other hand was a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls. He gave those to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap dime store stuff so she could have the real treasure.

This is like our Heavenly Father. He wants to give us the greatest treasures – and we keep on hanging on to the cheap imitations that the world has to offer. Accept his gift!