Years ago, there was a verywealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Togetherthey traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection.
Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of thefamily estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child becamean experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused hisfather to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve hiscountry. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son wasmissing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would neversee his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died whilerushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcomingChristmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he andhis son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked tothe door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was notcoming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package inhis hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. Iwas the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I havesomething to show you."
As the two began to talk, the solider told of how the man's son had told everyone of his,not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said thesoldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package,the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would neverconsider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in strikingdetail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the solider, promising to hang the pictureabove the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man setabout his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing asidethousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmasgazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was nolonger with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He wouldsoon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled hiscaring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly prideand satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his mostprized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around theworld clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was inanticipation! Unmindful of the story of the man's only son, but in his honor, thosepaintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of theart works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some ofthe world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatnesswould be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection." Theauction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting ofthe man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Whowill open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From theback of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of hisson. 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, whowill take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, "Will you take tendollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."
"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After moresilence, 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 we canbid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced theauction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked,"What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son.What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demandthat you explain what's going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It's verysimple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son... gets it all."
Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art collectors discovered on thatChristmas day, the message is still the same: the love of a Father, a Father whosegreatest joy came from His Son, who went away and gave His life rescuing others. Andbecause of that Father's love, whoever takes the Son, gets it all.
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