Years ago, a Christian man, driving along a highway, saw a suitcase fly off the top of an oncoming car. The car did not stop. He did and retrieved the suitcase in hopes of returning it to its rightful owner. However, the only identification that could be found inside it was a twenty-dollar gold piece encased in a frame bearing the inscription, “Harry Green on His Retirement, Acme Cement Company.”
After extensive efforts, that particular “Harry Green” was finally located and notified that his suitcase had been recovered. In a few days a reply came back. Mr. Green asked that the suitcase and its contents be disposed of, but he referred several times in his letter to his “most precious possession” the twenty-dollar gold piece something he highly valued and was anxious to have back.
The Christian was happy to oblige. He sent back the gold piece, along with a letter in which he described his most precious possession his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Almost a year later, the Christian received a small package in the mail. It contained the twenty-dollar gold piece, sent from Harry Green, who had also included the following note in the parcel: “My wife and I would like you to have this gold piece. I am seventy-five and my wife is seventy-three. You were the first one to tell us about Jesus. We are happy to say that He is now our ‘most precious possession.’ ”
When we have the opportunity to do so, what is it that we love to speak about what is our most precious possession? Does it not seem very easy to talk of a favorite pastime, the weather, our business, home projects we are engaged in almost anything but Christ? How eager are we to speak of Him?
It is out of the “abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” What fills and satisfies our hearts? We know what it will be for all eternity the blessed Person of the only begotten, well-beloved Son of God. Is He not also worthy, then, to fill our hearts to overflowing for the few years we spend presently passing through this wilderness?
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels” (Mal. 3:16-1716Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 17And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:16‑17)).
We ought to remember who hears what we speak about. Malachi prophesied when things spiritually were very bad. Yet, in the middle of his prophecy, this precious encouragement is found.
It was the fear (respect and reverence) of Jehovah that caused the faithful to speak “often one to another. ” They were encouraged, the Lord was honored and pleased, and their words were recorded. Further, a most blessed promise was given to those who delighted in speaking about their most precious possession. Let us speak more and more about Him!
Ed.