More Than You Bargained For
More Than You Bargained For March 8, 2026
As Martin pulled up to the garage sale, his eyes began to scan the merchandise. This was a good sale and it would take more than just a few minutes to shop through the tables searching for treasure. As Martin began to walk by each table, he looked at each item with interest, here’s an old Army canteen, a roll of weed eater string, and an 8″ crescent wrench. But as he continued to go from table to table, he only discovered things that either he already had or just wasn’t interested in at all. Just about the time he was about to give up, something caught his eye. Over by the last table, sitting on the ground, half way under the table was a tackle box and as he got closer he could tell that it was practically new. “This box for sale?” he asked the lady sitting at the small table and making little price tags with a magic marker. “Yes, it’s for sale,” she answered. “How much?” he asked. Without hesitation the lady answered, “Three dollars.” Martin dug into his pocket and pulled out a wad of crumpled bills. He peeled off three ones and handed them to the lady. “Thank you” she said, “I hope that you enjoy it.” As Martin picked up the tackle box, much to his surprise the box felt as though it was full. He opened the lid to discover that the box was brimming over with fishing lures, jigs, sinkers, and hooks of all sizes. As he surveyed the collection of fishing gear, he asked the lady, “Madam, are you sure that you only want three dollars for this?” “Yes, I don’t like to fish and it belonged to my husband who passed away, someone should get some use out of it.”
After Martin got home he began to take inventory of his newly found supply of fishing equipment. As he emptied out the box, there in the bottom was something that caught his eye. It was a lure but not just any lure. This was a Heddon Slim Body Minnow made in the 1930’s. “Wow, some of these things are worth $100 or more!” he said as he examined the old lure. Martin not only found a great bargain but he also discovered that he had received much more than he bargained for.
When we first became Christians, we’re happy that we’ve found forgiveness and salvation through Jesus. But it’s not until we really begin to live our faith that we find the hidden treasures in Christianity. As we struggle from day to day to serve God we come to realize that the true blessing of life comes “both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). Just as Martin found a great treasure hidden in a three dollar tackle box, you and I can continually discover great advantages of being a Christian. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and for the non-Christian, a great hidden treasure is just waiting to be found and can be discovered among the pages of God’s Word.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
By Jay Launius, Maud church of Christ