The Jewelry Box

Tony Blair is the dynamic ex-Prime Minister of Great Britain. He recently wrote his memoir, in which he speaks quite a bit on the relationship between Great Britain and the United States. He holds a great affection for America. He ended his excerpt in TIME magazine with a touching story:

A friend of mine, whose parents were immigrants, Jews from Europe, who came to America in search of safety, told me this story. His parents lived and worked in New York. They were not well off. His father died when he was young. His mother loved him, and in time, my friend succeeded and became wealthy. He often offered his mother the chance to travel outside America. She never did. When eventually she died, they went back to recover the safety box where she kept her jewelry. They found there was another box. There was no key. So they had to drill it open. They wondered what precious jewel must be in it. They lifted the lid. There was wrapping and more wrapping and finally an envelope. Intrigued, they opened it. In the envelope were her U.S. citizenship papers. Nothing more. That was the jewel, more precious to her than any other possession. That was what she treasured most....

This is a great example of what Jesus observed over two millennia ago—“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21.)

Sitting on Treasure

I read in WORLD magazine, this week, that a family now looks to Superman, as a true superhero. They were about to lose their house, which had been in their family for several years.

As family members were preparing to be evicted, they came across a box of comic books. In this box was the comic book that introduced Superman to the world in 1938. Back then, it sold for ten cents. Estimates now place its value around $250,000.

I think Christians, likewise, do not realize the treasure they are sitting upon. By that, I do not mean US dollars, rather I am talking about a life in Jesus that is so full of contentment and meaning, it exceeds our ability to describe. What's more, this quality-of-life—this life to be treasured—is available throughout eternity.

I cannot explain it. Paul tries, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21.)