Matthew 13:44: Treasure hidden in a field

Introduction

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his
joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

I have been thinking recently about what this parable means. The standard interpretation is that this relates to the correct human response to salvation and the Christian life. This means that Christians are supposed to place the Kingdom of heaven as their highest priority and give up everything for it. Matthew earlier in his Gospel in chapter 6 and verse 33 instructs his readers to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” which at first glance seems to line up with this way of thinking. But there is a difference between seeking first the kingdom of God and selling all that you have for the kingdom of God.