(The following is an excerpt from a talk given by The Rev. Chad Minifie from the College of Preachers some years ago.)

"Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls: on finding one pearl of great value he went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45-46) One day, a merchant met God on the way to town. God held the most magnificent pearl the merchant had ever seen. The merchant was struck by the pearl's beauty and shape.

"Is it for sale?" the merchant asked.

"Yes," said God, "it's one of a kind. It's for sale."

"How much?" asked the merchant.

"It costs everything you have," replied God.

The merchant thought it was a terrific buy. "It's a deal!" he exclaimed.

"Excellent decision," answered God. "Now give me all the money in your pocket. Don't count it, just give it over."

The merchant happily turned over the cash. After all, the merchant still had savings and checking accounts.

"Oh, by the way," said God, "I'll take your savings and checking accounts too."

The merchant hesitated but then complied. The pearl was still worth it. Besides, he still had his house.

"I'll take the house, too," said God, "and the vacation home as well."

The merchant was surprised but he reluctantly agreed. "I'll have nowhere to sleep but in my cars," he was thinking.

"I'll take your cars also," said God.

"That's everything," the merchant said. "I don't have anything else left."

"Are you married?" asked God.

"Yes," said the merchant. "Do you have any children?"

"Yes."

"I'll take your spouse and your kids," God said calmly.

"Well," the merchant replied, "I have nothing left but myself."

"I'll take that too," responded God.

Now the merchant had given everything to God. All possessions, all relationships, all things … even his own self. God gave the merchant the pearl. What a price to pay…but it was indeed beautiful beyond all measure; the most beautiful he had ever seen. The merchant was admiring his new treasure when God spoke again.

"You have given me everything, including yourself. That was the price of the pearl. I want you to listen carefully to me," God began. "Here is your spouse. Take your wife but live with her the way that I say. Be considerate, kind, loving, caring and helpful."

"Here are your children, too. I want you to raise them my way. The difference is that you must do things my way, not the way of the world. Respect, teach and protect them."

"Have the cars," God said, "but remember that they are my cars. I may need them and you to take someone to the hospital or food to a hungry and lonely person. Here is the house, but remember it is my house. I may need you to welcome a stranger, or make room for a family in need. Do you understand?"

The merchant nodded in agreement.

"Here is the weekend cottage," replied God, "but remember it is my cottage. I may need you to open it up to a family who might otherwise not be able to get a vacation. Here is the money, but remember it is my money. You can use it but I will need some of it to help others."

The merchant received everything back. There was the pearl and everything else gathered around him. It was all God's, but God chose to give it to the merchant.

"Do you really understand?" God asked again. The merchant smiled and nodded: "Yes."

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As you take a few moments and reflect on this story, are you smiling too?

We are all "pearl merchants" in search of that treasure of great price although we may have different names of the things we seek: love, peace, fulfillment, lasting joy, comfort within our own skin. We are, indeed, all seekers nevertheless. But the price is the same: a loving accountability to the One who is the source of all things. This is a great story to share with your children and to invite them into a conversation with you as we, as God's people, grow in our response to the God who sustains us with his love.

In cleaning out old files, I found a copy of my parish newsletter from St. George's Parish in Milwaukee, dated Nov. 20, 1976. The cover piece, the Shakertown Pledge, is printed herein as it speaks to the larger context of our efforts to be responsible stewards of God's creation and the resources entrusted into our care. There is both a sweetness and a naivety to this pledge − written on April 30, 1973 in Lexington, KY by members of the Shaker community, but there's also power and clarity we so rarely hear today…

The Shakertown Pledge (can you sign it??)

Recognizing that the earth and the fullness thereof is a gift from our gracious God, and that we are called to cherish, nurture, and provide loving stewardship for the earth's resources, I make the following declarations:

1. I declare myself to be a world citizen.
2. I commit myself to lead an ecologically sound life.
3. I commit myself to lead a life of creative simplicity and to share my personal wealth with the world's poor.
4. I commit myself to join with others in reshaping institutions in order to bring about a more just global society in which each person has full access to the needed resources for her/his physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
5. I commit myself to occupational accountability and in so doing; I will seek to avoid the creation of products which cause harm to others.
6. I affirm the gift of my body, and commit myself to its proper nourishment and physical well-being.
7. I commit myself to examine continually my relationship with others, and to attempt to relate honestly, morally, and lovingly to those around me.
8. I commit myself to personal renewal through prayer, meditation and study.
9. I commit myself to responsible participation in a community of faith.

Signed: name and date: ____________________________

A Steward's Prayer

"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way.
I give you my eyes to see as you do.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind that you may think in me.
Above all, I give you my haerrt that you may love in me
Your Father and all mankind,
So that it is you, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me."

        - Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester 1555-1626.

A Poem by Charles Causley

I am the great sun, but you do not see me;
I am your husband, but you turn away;
I am the captive, but you do not free me;
I am the captain, but you will not obey;
I am the truth, but you will not believe me;
I am the city, where you will not stay;
I am your wife, your child; but you will leave me.
I am that God to whom you will not pray.
I am your counsel, but you do not hear me;
I am your lover, whom you will betray;
I am the victor, but you do not cheer me;
I am the Holy Dove, whom you will slay.
I am your life, but if you will not name me,
    seal up your soul with tears, and never blame me.

The poem was inspired by a 1632 Norman crucifix and depicts the voice of Christ from the cross and his doomed love for humankind.