The Auction

1 Jn 5:11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

(I have edited this story. The original author is unknown to me.)

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who owned one of the most valuable art collections in all the world. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

He had just one son, who was very precious to his father. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died. The father was devastated.

One morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I am not a great artist, but I painted this picture of your son. I want you to have it.”

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. And so he did. He considered it to be the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction.

The day soon arrived, and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day. Many would bid much in order to claim, “I have the greatest collection.”

The auction began with a painting that was not on anyone’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke.

From the back of the room someone shouted, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.” More voices echoed in agreement. “No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take this portrait?”

Finally, a man spoke up. “I knew this young man and how much he meant to his father. I only have ten dollars. Will you take it for the painting?" The auctioneer announced, “I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone.” The gavel fell.

Cheers filled the room, and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and bid on these treasures!”

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over. 

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on!”

The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. The father specifically stipulated in his will, “Whoever takes the son, gets it all.”

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The Father in heaven has made the same announcement regarding His Son. You can collect all the so-called treasures of earth, but without Jesus Christ, you have nothing. On the other hand, if you gain Jesus Christ, in Him you will have everything - and lack nothing - worth having.

“Whoever takes the Son, gets it all.”

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

Mt 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Mt 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.