A Masterpiece Sold Cheaply

One foggy night in London, many years ago, a

ragged, unkempt man shuffled into a little music

shop, owned by Mr. Betts. Clutched under the

man’s arm was a violin. “Will you buy this

old violin from me?” the man muttered. “I’m

starving, and I need money to buy something to

eat.

“Well, I already have several violins,” Mr.

Betts replied, “but I don’t want you to go

hungry. Will a guinea ($5.00 at the time) help

you out?’ “Oh, yes,” said the man, “Thank-you.

Thank-you!”

He took the money and disappeared into the

night. Mr. Betts picked up the violin, took the

bow and drew it across the strings. The violin

gave forth a deep, mellow tone. Surprised, Mr.

Betts took the light and peered into the inside of

the violin.

He could hardly believe what he saw

There, carved into the wood were these words:

“Antonio Stradivari...1704” Mr. Betts ran into

the street to find the man so that he could pay

him more for the instrument. The old man was

gone.

This story can remind us of how we sometimes

fritter away the spiritual blessings that God

brings into our lives. These blessings could be

rich and profitable to us, if we only recognized

the value of what is available.

“Lord, please help me to see Your blessings,

and the immense spiritual value that they can

have on my life. Give me the grace to never

under-estimate just how amazing Your gifts to

me can be. Amen!

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