Obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven comes at a great cost. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 (NKJV):
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
This “violence” does not refer to physical strength but to spiritual determination, persistence, and the willingness to sacrifice everything for Christ. Theologically, this teaches us that the Kingdom of God is not received casually or passively; it requires spiritual diligence, commitment, and self-denial (cf. Luke 14:26–33). Only a few will truly lay hold of it, because it requires understanding its value and paying the price.
Jesus illustrated the cost of the Kingdom through two parables in Matthew 13:44–46 (NKJV):
“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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
The “hidden treasure” and “pearl of great price” represent the eternal blessings, glory, and fellowship with God that the Kingdom offers.
The man and the merchant sold everything they had—demonstrating that true discipleship requires sacrificial surrender of worldly possessions, ambitions, and comforts (cf. Luke 9:23).
The Kingdom is priceless; anything given up to obtain it pales in comparison to the eternal reward.
Like the merchant who did not just see a pearl, or the man who did not just see a field, we must perceive the hidden spiritual value within the Kingdom. Until we truly recognize the eternal riches, we will not be willing to make sacrifices. The moment we understand the glory and blessings of God’s Kingdom, we gain spiritual courage and motivation to endure all costs (cf. Colossians 3:1–4).
Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s palace, enjoying wealth, status, and education. Yet he counted all this as worthless compared to God’s Kingdom.
Hebrews 11:24–27 (NKJV):
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Moses’ choice illustrates faith-driven valuation: the temporal riches and honors of this world are fleeting, while the eternal Kingdom is everlasting.
His decision teaches the principle of spiritual investment: one must forsake temporal security and privilege to gain eternal reward (cf. Matthew 6:19–21).
Paul also counted worldly achievements as worthless in comparison to Christ:
Philippians 3:7–8 (NKJV):
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
Paul’s losses were intentional sacrifices to acquire a spiritual treasure far surpassing material wealth.
The phrase “counted as rubbish” (Greek: skubala) emphasizes the radical reordering of values in Christ. Material, social, and personal gains are secondary to the eternal riches found in Him.
The Kingdom of Heaven offers unimaginable blessings:
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV):
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
God’s Kingdom contains rewards beyond human comprehension—spiritual, eternal, and personal blessings.
Positions and responsibilities in the Kingdom will vary, but all are eternal. Those who reign with Christ will experience authority and fellowship that surpass all worldly positions (cf. Revelation 22:5).
Jesus told His disciples:
Matthew 19:27–28 (NKJV):
“Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’”
The reward of sitting with Christ is reserved for those who see the value of the Kingdom and are willing to invest everything to obtain it (cf. Luke 18:28–30).
To “buy” the Kingdom, we must let go of sin, pride, selfish ambition, and worldly pleasures. The Laodicean church serves as a warning:
Revelation 3:14–22 (NKJV) teaches that many Christians think they are spiritually rich but are actually poor, blind, and naked. Jesus calls us to:
These purchases represent spiritual transformation: surrendering worldly attachments, pursuing holiness, and growing in spiritual vision.
Sacrifice is not for its own sake, but to gain eternal reward and fellowship with God (cf. Matthew 6:33).
The Kingdom of Heaven is priceless. Only those who see its true value and are willing to pay the cost will inherit it.
Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see the surpassing value of Your Kingdom. Help us to willingly let go of anything that hinders us and pursue the eternal riches You offer. Amen.
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