Just Had To Share This Beautiful Story...
By cjsmom
@cjsmom (1423)
United States
August 27, 2007 8:02pm CST
Take my Son...
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while resuing 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 don't know me, but 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 he died instantly.
He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out a package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really 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 had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.
"Oh, no, sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait 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 paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The acutioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room 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 voice angrily, "We didn't come to see this
painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."
"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the paintings?"
I am sorry. 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 this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the
paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...
THAT'S LOVE..!
2 people like this
5 responses
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I have seen different versions of this story but each of them are just as good. Thanks CJsMom for sharing that nice piece today. I am glad to see something good instead of something negative.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I liked it a lot. Thanks for sharing CJ's ma. :)
Not only can it be taken from the religious sense there are other things in the story one should look for. For example, the wealthy were so into the finer artists and the finer things that they didn't want the son's portrait. I'd equate that with our societies' growing greed and desire for objects and property, but in the end they aren't really rich at all. They are shallow, greedy and foolish. If they were really open and they were really collectors even they would have stood up for the son.
Just my thoughts on it.
1 person likes this
@cjsmom (1423)
• United States
28 Aug 07
You are so right, pro...Today's society could give a 'hoot' about anyone else but themselves; the more money they can make the happier they think they'll be. But we've all seen countless examples of the rich-and-famous hit rock bottom. If everyone could just do one kind thing for a perfect stranger each day, whether rich or poor, the world would be a much better place than it is now. And perhaps we'd have to poverty or war's. An idea for others to kick-around; myself included. Thanks for your great comment.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Sep 07
What a beautiful piece of writing. Thank you for posting this.
@larrylight (9)
• Nigeria
28 Aug 07
This story always remind me that there are some minors we run after to the detriment of the major. It happens in every fields and nations : everywhere. May God helps us to hold dear what He has given us and stop running after shadows
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