The books in my private library are varied and each one has a story that goes far beyond the printed pages.  The books are hardback, paperback, soft cover, torn cover, in great condition and poor condition, and each one reflects a step in my faith journey.  The wonder and joy of these books is that each one is a great treasure.  It is not the kind of treasure you will find in a museum, or a treasure that will warrant a spot on Antiques Roadshow.   These books are a treasure of faith because of how they came to be on my shelves.

     Some of the books have ink or pencil entries, the names and dates of people, events, and cities, written on the inside pages.  Some are gifts which speak of God and ministry.  Other volumes reflect the intersection of life and faith at crucial junctures.  There are books given at the time of marriage, the birth of a child, and moving from one community to the next.  Other books reflected the serendipitous discovery of a long-sought out-of-print volume, that kind you don’t believe you will ever find, but once discovered it is purchased at any price.  To the majority of people in the world, the books are not of any particular value, but to me, they are pearls of great price, a treasure.

     I suppose one of the reasons that you will never see me on the Antiques Roadshow is that I know the old things I have aren’t worth all that much in dollars.  It is always important to know the value of life and the value of what you include in your life.  A dollar value cannot be placed on the gift of a book handed down for five generations.  The value of such a book is in the relationship of the friend who entrusted their heirloom into your care, and the friendship you share.

     Jesus is clear in the gospels that it is important for us to determine the value of objects, events and people.  Determining the worth to our lives is crucial for healthy living.  The question of cost and value, risk and reward, applies to every aspect of life.   The gospel of Matthew tells us of a common worker who stumbled upon a fortune.  Burying your money in the ground was a rather common form of banking, so the peasant carefully takes the necessary legal steps to purchase the field and to make the buried wealth his in every way.

     This parable in Matthew, and the others that follow, remind us of the importance of God’s gift of true wealth.  Our God whose presence created all that humans consider precious and valuable, affirms that nothing is more valuable that how our heart and mind is opened to our Creator.  God is very gracious to give us gifts of life, pearls of knowledge, and a great treasure in the example and words of others who have traveled the pathways of God’s kingdom.  Through these gifts we can know the life God intends.  May you learn and grow from all of God’s precious gifts.