A Tale of Two Treasures: Which Got the Highest Bid?

     A small wooden bracket shelf caught my eye in a pile of stuff at a recent sale. The gilt paint was chipping off the wood so it looked a little shabby, but the carved heart at the center was just too sweet, and made this Victorian piece something I couldn't pass up - even if it didn't look like much of a treasure!

     Another sale, not long after I'd found the chippy shelf, yielded this golden rhinestone set:

   This beautiful set was nicely displayed and it was easy to see that it was most definitely a treasure! The sparkle made the choker necklace and dangle earrings the center of attention!

     The shelf and the rhinestone set both sold at auction recently. Look at the pictures closely. Which would you guess had the highest bid?

     If you guessed the elegant rhinestone set ...wrong! The chippy Victorian shelf sold for more! 

     Why?

     That requires some thought, but here's what I believe; The carved wooden shelf, though a little humble in looks, serves a purpose. It quietly works hard - holding whatever thing the owner has placed on top of it. It is useful and doesn't complain if it's moved room to room, inside or outside, or is overshadowed by the beauty of the thing it holds.

     The rhinestones are a different story! Their use is limited by the occasion - wearing them to work in the garden would never do, these beauties want to shine at a gala event in the garden! They are fussy about where they're stored, moisture darkens them and they scratch easily or fall out of their prongs without notice. Yes, that golden sparkle is beautiful, but - their sole purpose is to draw attention to themselves.

     We see these two types manifested in people, also...

     There is a sweet woman with a big heart in our community who cares about the kids in her neighborhood. She invites them into her home for meals and conversation - many of their parents work long hours, so they are alone. For the same reason they are sometimes in trouble. But she invites them in anyway. Without thinking of what she can gain, without asking for recognition. 

     Not to say she doesn't have motivation, though...

     She is motivated by her love for Jesus Christ. When she fixes a meal, she believes what Jesus said - that it's as if she's done it for Him. Her love overflows onto the children she's serving, and they want to know about this Jesus who would cause her to care for them!

     She is like that little chippy shelf - not that she isn't beautiful, but her beauty is filled with purpose.

     We've also seen others whose goal in serving is to draw attention to themselves. Jesus addressed that too, "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." (Matthew 6:2) 

     Like the sparkling rhinestones they shout, "Look, look at me!" instead of reflecting the love of Christ.

     When we think we know the value of something or someone we need to remember how God judges worth...

     "...Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."  (1 Samuel 16:7)

    The little wooden shelf with purpose gets the highest bid every time in God's Kingdom...