For many people, the Antiques Road Show is compulsive viewing.
We watch thousands of people in a beautiful historical setting, armed with carrier bags and boxes containing their personal or family treasures.
The picture, piece of porcelain or jewellery, the old first edition book, the elderly toy or article of furniture is then shown to one of a number of experts, who discuss and explain what it is, how old it is, who made it, where it was made, and add various other interesting items of information. But then comes the bit everyone has been waiting for – the valuation, when we hear the famous words: “I think if you took this to auction, it would be worth probably somewhere in the region of …”
Then a sum of several hundred, thousands, even tens of thousands of pounds is named. Gasps of astonishment and delight are heard all round.
But then there is sometimes another surprise as the owner calmly says: “I’ll never sell it.”
For the item, whatever it may be, is worth more to them than money. Its value lies in the skill and creativity of the maker; in the memories it may evoke; in the fact of its being a family heirloom, or a special gift. Or it may simply be that the possessor simply likes it too much.
Jesus had a word to say about treasure and riches. Find his words in Matthew, 6:19-21 and again in Luke 12:33-34. He talks about not putting too much importance on material goods: “where moths and rust destroy and robbers break in and steal”.
That might sound a bit strange, but in the Middle East in Jesus’ time, a person’s wealth often consisted of fine clothes, or corn and grain stored in great barns, or of hoards of gold stored in flimsy clay jars. So there was always the risk of these things being lost, stolen, destroyed by moths, or eaten by rats and mice.
Things are not that much different today; we might not hoard corn but many of us still go out and buy clothes, which fortunately for us, are less prone to damage by moths than in earlier times/
Retail therapy – going shopping as a cure for feeling sad and miserable – is beginning to go out of fashion in these cash-strapped and financially depressing days. So perhaps Jesus’ next words are a useful lesson:
“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven …”
What might that mean? Enjoy free “treasures” – such as a sudden gloriously sunny day; a flush of early summer flowers; a walk in the park with a good friend; your football team finally winning a match; children’s pictures from school; remembering fun in the snow.
Find riches too in a helping hand given and received; a kind word spoken; a joke shared; a family meal.
“For,” said Jesus, “your heart will always be where your treasure is.”
Rosi MorganBarry from Wokingham Methodist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
