A story

Matt’s cheeks are aching, but he can’t keep the huge grin off his face. He can’t believe what’s just happened. He’s walked by this vacant lot every day for years, going to and from work. It’s overgrown with weeds, and he’s never taken a shortcut through the empty lot. But on his way home today, out of curiosity Matt had decided to cut through. Halfway across, he’d come across the foundation of a house, mostly filled in with trash. The house must have fallen down a long time ago; he’s never heard anyone even mention that there used to be a house there.

Having gone that far, he’d decided, “Might as well do some exploring.” He’d picked his way down into what used to be the cellar, and started poking around in the broken boards and the piles of junk thrown away long ago. He’d looked under this and that, with no plan or any particular goal in mind. Reaching the far side, he’d seen an old refrigerator lying on its side, with its door firmly closed. Pulling on the handle did nothing, but still curious he’d grabbed a board and used it as a lever to pry the door open. That’s when it happened.

The seal on the door had apparently held up against all kinds of weather for years. The door resisted being pried open, the gasket finally giving up with a loud ripping sound. Inside, the old appliance was totally clean and dry—not at all what Matt had expected. Laying at the bottom was what looked like a piece of plastic. Matt had bent down and turned it over, then froze as he saw what it was. It was a high quality comic book protector, and through the clear cover he’d seen the title, Action Comics, seen Superman throwing a green car, seen the band at the top with the issue: No. 1, June 1938. It looked like it was in perfect condition. It was worth millions!

The grin begins right then. He almost grabs his find and takes off. But he realizes, that wouldn’t be right. What should he do?

Still grinning even as he works, Matt puts things back as they were. The door of the old refrigerator actually closes again. Now what? He resumes his walk home, wondering. On the far side of the lot he comes upon a sign, a small board nailed to a stake and almost buried in the weeds. Painted on the board: “Lot for sale.” And below that, “Call Josh,” and a phone number.

“I could buy the lot!” Matt thinks. He takes a pen out of his pocket and writes the phone number on his hand. If possible his grin grows even wider.

Getting home, Matt forces himself to think seriously about the whole situation. Isn’t it kind of crazy that a comic book would have such an absurd value? He’s been collecting for a long time, so he knows what his find is worth. He decides. Yes, it’s worth trying to find out if he can buy that lot.

Getting his breathing under control, he pulls out his phone and keys the number written on his hand. Almost immediately, it’s answered: “Yeah, this is Josh.”

“Um, Hi. My name’s Matt. I’m interested in that lot you have for sale. How much are you asking?”

Josh names a figure. Matt’s heart sinks. So much!

“That seems awfully high. It’s sat there empty for as long as I can remember.”

“Yeah, but it’s a great location. Someday somebody’s going to build on it. The price isn’t negotiable.”

“There’s a lot of junk in the old foundation…”

“If you want the lot, you get the junk too. I’m selling as is. Up to you to take it from there.”

“Well, thanks. I’m going to have to think about it.” Matt hangs up, and he does think about it. Everything Matt has is tied up in his own collection. He has a very good idea of the value of his collection. It surprises him to realize that what Josh wants for the lot is just about exactly the value of the entire collection. So, he can keep his collection as it is, or he can sell the whole thing and buy Josh’s lot, along with the “junk” in the refrigerator. Simple as that. One or the other.

Matt has a hard time getting to sleep that night. Finally he does, and when he wakes up in the morning, he realizes his mind must have been working on the dilemma as he slept. The knot in his stomach from the previous evening is gone. The smile is back, as he reaches for his phone.

An imagining based on the story told by Jesus in Matthew 13:44 –Paul