What Makes Life Worth Living

‘The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” — Marv, xiii. 44.

WHY did the man buy that field? Every
spectator of the transaction would

have given a wrong reason. Some would have said, “He has bought it for its great extent of ground.” Some would say, “He has purchased it for its abundance of trees and fruits. Some would exclaim, “He wants a large pasturage for his cattle.” Some would cry, “He evidently designs to build houses.” And yet not one of these surmises would have been near the mark. The man bought the field for the sake of something which was quite invisible — something which was hid. I believe this is the universal practice. I think we all buy the world’s field, not for the sake of that field, but for the sake

of a little unseen thing which happens to lie within it. That unseen thing is love; that is the treasure hid in the world’s field! Have you considered how much the field is indebted to that hidden treasure? We speak of the striving for wealth, the thirst for fame, the lust for power, the bid for recognition. But you will find that those who seek these things seek them for the sake of love. Nobody would care for his field of labour if he did not associate it with some one hidden in his heart. Why is that friend of yours so eager in exchange and market-place? It is because he hears in fancy the prattle of his children’s voices, and sees in imagination the warm household fire. Why is he beating for entrance at the doors of society? It is because it will gladden the life of her who wears his nuptial ring. Why is he seeking the plaudits of the multitude? It is in the hope that a certain one will hear them — only one — the one hid in his heart. Love, or the hope of love, is the wellspring of all labour; I buy the field for the sake of its invisible treasure. And so, my Christ, I buy this world for the sake of Thee! I do not think this world is worth the price without Thee; it is too dear a purchase. It is the love of Thee that gives value to my field. I have heard men say, “A Christian cannot love the world”; but I say, «A Christian has alone the right to love the world”; it is worth loving in Thee! I have become eager for the world through the love of Thee. I should like to be rich for Thee; I would have diamonds from the mine and pearls from the ocean — to give Thy hungry bread. I should like to be famous for Thee; I would be a leader of all fashions if I could lead Thy wanderers home. I should like to be gifted for Thee; I should covet being a great novelist if I could paint Thine image in a human soul. I should like to be joyous for Thee; it is when my heart is gladdest that I minister most to Thy sons of sorrow. Thou art my field of enterprise, O Christ! I would sing for Thy sad; I would work for Thy weary; I would husband for Thy homeless; I would overflow for Thine orphans; I would prosper for Thy poor; I would be crowned with glory and honour for the comforting of Thy brother’s pain. Thou hast made it worth while for me to buy this field.