Pearl of Great Price

 Oyster Roast Devotional 2-20-25

We had a great oyster roast for Eastminster Men in 32 degree weather. Here was my devotional…

How many of you have ever found a pearl in an oyster? [Kevin, Berryraised theirhand]. How many oysters did you have to eat to find one? The chance of finding them is 1 in 10,000. How is a pearl formed? A grain of sand/parasite gets inside the shell. It irritates and the oyster coats it- secreting nacre=calcium carbonate around it.

The Bigger the pearl means the more it has been irritated. Our troubles are that way. They irritate us, but God can make the hurt beautiful by wrapping them in love. Do not be overcome by trouble or evil. But overcome evil with good. The pearl has long been a symbol of faith reminding us of the cross.

Hear these words from Matthew 13:45-46:

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Then went home rejoicing.

Long before cultured or faux pearls-A pearl was a great investment. Once Jaques Courtier bought a building in NYC for $100 and a pearl necklace worth $1 million. Jesus is saying the kingdom of God is a great investment. What can a good investment do for you?

Walmart stock was originally worth $16.50 for one share in 1970 -that same share is worth $350k today $1.25m if you reinvest the dividends.

Apple stock in 1980 could be bought for $22 today that one share is worth 41k.

Coca cola- opened 9/5/1919 at $40 per share worth today $276k but if you had reinvested the dividends it’d be worth $1.5 million today.

Grace Groner - was an orphan. She never owned a car- was a school teacher . But she Bought 3 shares of Abbot stock. 75 yrs later it was worth $7 million.

What if you knew you could invest and the returns never are taken away?

What is the return on your soul? You can coast or sleep through your life. You can be frivolous and careless or you can invest and also enjoy the abundant life now? Too Many are apathetic toward God. But as our Maker He gives value and meaning to life.

But as you invest yourself in God by worship, prayer, scripture and loving those around you- you get good returns- you reap what you sew. I invite you to invest practically. Sign up and come to the March Out for missions event 3/1 to help the hungry, the homeless, the needy. Or go on a mission trip for Hurricane Helene relief 4/4-6 or 4/6-12. Give yourself to God and you will find it is more blessed to give than to receive.

The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price- you see it- will you invest in it?