I have a story to share. I learned it from Margaret Silf's book One hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World.  She calls it "The Auction."

A wealthy man had one son and a precious art collection. The walls of his mansion displayed works by European masters and the best contemporary artists. He loved his collection, and he loved his son. Together, they enjoyed the art in the house and added special pieces to it.

But the man's son was drafted and went to war. One day, the dreaded telegram came telling the man that his son had been killed in action. He was devastated. He grieved deeply. He was inconsolable.

A few dark months went by. Then, one day a young man came to his door with a package under his arm. He explained that he had served in the same unit as the man's son. He told the story of the son's last day when he had saved many lives. "In fact," said the young man, "your son was carrying me to safety when a bullet caught him in the back. He saved my life and others."

The two young men had become friends, and just before the day he died, this young man had done a sketch of the son's face. "I'm not a great artist, but I would like you to have this picture of your son."

Something released in the old man's heart with this story of his son's last day and with this picture of his son's face. He hung it above the mantle piece, and when people came to see his art collection, he showed them his son's picture first.

When the old man died, his art collection went up for auction. There was a great deal of interest, and the house was full of art dealers from all over the world.

The auctioneer set the first picture on the table. It was the sketch of the man's son.

"What will you give me for the picture of the man's son? Can we start the bidding at fifty dollars?"

Groans erupted around the room. "Get to the good stuff," people muttered. "Who would want that thing when there are precious paintings up for sale?"

"My instructions are clear," said the auctioneer. "This one goes first. Who will bid?"

The room was silent. No one spoke. No one moved. Finally, a hand went up at the back of the room. "I will give fifty dollars," said the gardener. For him that was a lot of money, but he had loved the old man and his son. He would be proud to have this picture to remember the son.

"Fifty dollars is bid; do I hear sixty?" The auctioneer looked around the room and waited. "I have fifty dollars, going once, going twice, sold." He put down his gavel.

More grumbling erupted from the dealers in the room. "Come on. Get on with it. What is next?"

"That is it," said the auctioneer. "My instructions were precise. Whoever bought the picture of the son got the whole collection and the whole estate. The man at the back bought the son and receives the whole."

Silf tells the story in a way that emphasizes that the one who takes the son gets everything, a hint that the Father's Son is the one to seek. She echoes a saying of Jesus, "strive first for the kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) For me, the story speaks of the primary importance of love.  

Cathy Hird lives on the shore of Georgian Bay.