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"What is your most valuable possession?"

This pointed question was asked randomly to several people at a busy intersection. The people were of various races and from all walks of life. They were students, housewives, and business people, ranging from youth to retirement age.

Five of these candid replies are submitted for your most serious consideration:

"My two children and my husband" was the reply of a middle-aged housewife, who added, "If I didn't have them, I wouldn't have anything."

"My experience playing football" was the response given by a retired salesman. Memories of victories and life lessons learned were his most cherished possessions.

"My life" was the frank confession of a grocer. He greatly valued life itself and he lived to enjoy every day.

"My faith" was the answer given by an earnest young man. His mother had been seriously ill, and he had faith that she would recover. "I have my faith to fall back on."

"My religion" voiced another housewife. She drew great comfort and joy from attending church and participating in its various activities.

Dear reader, what would your reply be if the same question were asked of you? "What is your most valuable possession?" Would it be money? family? fame? health? What one thing do you value above all else? Look with me to see what the Bible says about the answers given above.

A husband, child, home, and happiness therein; these are good and proper and spoken of highly in the Bible. But should they be your most valuable possession? Notice the words of Jesus Christ: "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:37). Does Christ take first place in your heart? Does He receive preeminence in affection?

The salesman's response was rather startling. As he approached his last days after a long and busy life, he could reflect upon no greater possession than his experience in sports. Sports exercise the body and teach cooperation and work ethic, but do they have lasting value? The Bible says, "Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things" (1 Timothy 4:8). What is needed is exercise of the soul as to its great need of the Saviour and the experience of salvation.

The grocer was right to put great value upon life. The Bible says, "What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). But is there more to seek in this life than pleasure? "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal" (John 12:25). Don't let the pleasures of this life blind you to your need of eternal life. "He that hath the Son [Jesus Christ] hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:12).

What about faith? The Bible speaks highly of faith, but the young man's faith was misplaced. Note that it is his faith, and that it is himself he is falling back on. Man of himself can do nothing. He must look away from self and have faith in Christ. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Religion also seems to be a good answer. But, my friend, the Bible does not put any value in religion. Does this startle you? Religion is a system of works and deeds and rules, none of which can get you to heaven. The Bible says, "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). You may have religion—but do you have Christ?

Dear friend, to have Christ is to have the most valuable possession! He is the Creator and Upholder of all things, but "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). Because of our sin, we are spiritually dead and far from God, but Jesus Christ, God's Son, died on the cross and rose again to make the way for us to be cleansed from our sins. We must see our need of Him and come to Him, repenting of our sins, and trusting Him to be our Saviour. This must be done personally. No one else can do it for you. You must take Christ as your most valuable possession. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). "Unto you therefore which believe He is precious" (1 Peter 2:7).

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