FOOD FOR THOUGHT A FATHER AND HIS SON A wealthy man and his son liked to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso and Raphael. They would often sit together and admire these great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, Sir, you dont know me, I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and killed him instantly. He often talked about you, and your love of art. The young man held out this package. I know this isnt much. Im not a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this. The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay for the picture. Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. Its a gift. The father hung the picture over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his art collection. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having the opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. We will start the bidding with the picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture? There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room angrily shouted, We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one. But the auctioneer persisted. Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100? $200? Another angry voice shouted, We didnt come to see this picture. We came to see the Van Goghs and the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids! But the auctioneer continued. The son! The son! Who will take the son? Finally a voice came from the back of the room. It was the long time gardener of the father and his son. Ill give $10.00 for the painting. Being a poor man it was all he could afford. The auctioneer shouted, We have $10, who will bid $20? Give it to him for $10. Lets see the masters. $10 is the bid wont someone bid $20? the auctioneer continued. The crowd was becoming angry. They didnt want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. Going once, twice, SOLD for $10.! A man sitting in the second row shouted, Now lets get on with the collection! The auctioneer laid down his gavel. Im sorry the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until now. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Who ever bought the picture of the son would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son got everything! Moral Lesson: Remember God gave His only Son 2000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: The son, the son, who will take the son? Because you see whoever takes the son gets everything. Any lesson learnt? Kindly share with us. God bless you!!
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 13:29:35 +0000
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