Will you be found?

Speaking of treasure, the next parable describes a windfall. We find it in Matthew 13:44. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field.”
This is a small parable that paints a big picture. Let's take a moment to visualize the scenario.

Let's say you are out walking. You are in a field. It is not your usual place. It is a piece of land that is owned by another person. It is not currently in use, and, as a result, wander walk freely. You stub a toe or catch a glint of something out of place – like yourself. No one is around; you start to dig a little. You find something of interest, something of value, but you are uncertain how much is buried there. So you cover the item of interest and run home for your special investigation tools.

That night, when you are sure you will not be discovered, you return with a shovel and spade to dig until there is nothing left to discover. Your eyes are wide, you pant for air. Aside from your labors, you are unquestionably beside yourself with excitement. What you've uncovered is special. It is quite literally a treasure.

It is a banner day, but there is a problem with your windfall – it is on land that belongs to another. It is certain the owner is unaware of it, else he would have availed himself of it. It is probable that the previous owner knew nothing of it as well. Yet, by all rights, it belongs to the owner of the land. Then it dawns on you, you can be the owner. You hatch a mighty plan.

You go to great lengths to hide the treasure in the same field; you want no one else to stumble upon it. So you hide the treasure in a place, and in a manner, that is least likely to be found by another. You realize that the land is owned only by default. If the owner was well to do, the land would most certainly be worked. You feel confident the owner will respond to an offer of purchase.

Phase two of the plan is more difficult. You gather your resources, liquidate your assets. Nothing is spared, and you feel you can offer a price the owner will view favorably. To your great delight, the owner sells, and you become the rightful and lawful owner. You did not steal the treasure; it is truly yours.

The parable does not so much depict the one-up you might happily experience. Rather, it depicts the lengths to which the kingdom of heaven is willing to go. The world may own you, and there you sit, undeveloped, going to weed. The treasure hidden within you is wasted on the current owner.

Then, a price is paid. You lawfully belong to one who can make the most of us.

Another thought has occurred to me. What if the owner of the field knew about the treasure? I'm wondering if the owner saw that treasure as a treasure. We have a saying that goes like this: one man's rubbish is another man's treasure. He neither wanted it nor did he make any use of it. It was only a treasure for you. So when you hid it, it was not from the owner, but others like yourself. Others might have done the same thing, but you wanted the treasure alone. It was just that personal.