There is a programme on television about competing antiques dealers who travel the country searching shops for bargains that can be resold at auction for a profit. Sometimes they make money and sometimes they don’t. 

There can be surprises; a ‘certain’ profit turns into a loss or an item up for sale commands far more from the bidders than was expected. This all seems fair enough and it is a good opportunity for the antiques experts to show their knowledge and laudably any profits made go to charity.

But there are moments which seem a little more dubious. Occasionally one of the dealers spots an item for sale that is priced well below its true value; perhaps the shop owner has failed to recognise its importance and worth.

The expert buys the valuable antique at a very low price and the vendor is unaware. At the auction the object brings in a colossal bid and a great deal of money is made.

We might be tempted to brush aside any moral qualms by saying it is all for charity but the truth is the transaction has been dishonest and unfair. To profit from another’s ignorance or to benefit because an owner has made a mistake does not seem right.

Jesus tells us two parables about buying things a person might value. He tells us they are parables of the kingdom. 

In both cases the buyers sell everything they own in order to obtain the desired purchase. In a clear way we are being given the challenge of recognising that to enter the kingdom we must be willing to give everything. The prize of everlasting life is worth all that we can muster.

The connoisseur of fine pearls so desires the one of great value that he will sell his entire collection and everything else he owns in order to possess it. Our approach to kingdom of heaven is to be like this. Once we recognise how important entering, possessing, the kingdom truly is then we will do anything to win the prize.

It is a challenge to our half-hearted approach to the life of faith. Our commitment can be tempered by distractions and other desires. It is about being single-minded. Seek first the Kingdom of God.

When we look at the two parables closely we notice a difference.

Both the buyer and the seller of the pearl know just how special it is. This fits perfectly the message. The vendor expects the buyer to understand just how wonderful the object is which is being sold. God invites us to recognise what he gives us in return for our commitment.

The one who discovers hidden treasure hides it again and then does everything he can to obtain the field.

The one selling the field knows nothing of the riches hidden under the ground and so we are to assume that the asking price falls well below the true value of the field plus the treasure.

True, the buyer sells all he has to obtain the field but he has acquired something of immense worth well below its true value.

The buyer has taken advantage of the vendor’s ignorance; in a way he has cheated him.

So does this parable add something to the idea of entering or acquiring the kingdom?

It seems that the price we pay is less that what the kingdom is truly worth. While it is impossible for God to be deceived or cheated perhaps he lets us take advantage of him. 

What price is the gift of eternal life?

Everything we own and are could never amount to enough for its purchase. The Lord tells us that we can buy the field for far less than it is truly worth.

Perhaps Jesus is telling us that he turns a blind eye to the fact that what we offer is not enough, he allows us to fool him, apparently. He lets us have the kingdom at a knock-down price.