My wife and I went to a local jewelry store with a small bag of items we wanted appraised—a locket watch, a few rings, a necklace or two, and a small garment clasp some friends had given us for one of our very young children. The jeweler returned from the back of the store with news that surprised us. The garment clasp was much more valuable than we had realized because it was 14-karat gold and in very good condition.

This is not an uncommon occurrence. People often discover that something they bought years ago with a few dollars, and may have since stored away, turns out to be surprisingly valuable.

This has made me think how we, as earnest Christians, can become more appreciative of the spiritual insights and Bible truths that we have gleaned over the years and retained, the value of which we might not fully appreciate. As we look more often at those insights and truths—“reappraise” them with a greater appreciation of their value—we see things we might not have seen before and that stir us to a change of heart and consciousness. Our memory of why and how those ideas first came to us might be refreshed. We might value them even more than before.

Christ Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:44–46). And of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy writes: “It is the dear children’s toy and strong tower; the wise man’s spiritual dictionary; the poor man’s money; yea, it is the pearl priceless whereof our Master said, if a man findeth, he goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth it” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, pp. 252–253).

Truth is all-acting, transformative, and restorative.

In practicing Christian Science, we see that spiritual insights and divine ideas have a tangible, healing effect on our lives. Divine ideas of the reality of God’s goodness and man’s inherent perfect nature as His reflection are not just theoretical. They are truths that are practical and beneficial to daily life. Spiritual ideas awaken us to a greater understanding of God’s love and power, resulting in physical healing and moral and character transformation. It’s impossible to more fully know divine Truth without being blessed, because Truth is all-acting, transformative, and restorative.

Jesus proved this with his healing works—for instance, when he was confronted by an insane man (see Luke 8:26–36). The man seemed to have no sense of his inherent dignity, in that he wore no clothes; no sense of mental clarity, in that he was unable to control his behavior; and no awareness of his true identity. But the Master, knowing the truth about God and man’s real, spiritual identity, rebuked those material beliefs about the man, who then experienced a wonderful and complete transformation and healing. His sitting still was evidence of the restoration of his self-government. Being properly clothed was a sign of renewed self-respect. And being “in his right mind” not only showed the healing but was also an indication that he had gained to some degree the restoration of true self-knowledge.

Pondering the gold of Christ Jesus’ wonderful healings of sickness, sin, and death awakens us to an immeasurable treasure: the understanding that God cares for His children, whom He has created perfect. The spiritual fact that God is good, always present, and ever caring for His offspring, His spiritual ideas, is priceless. It can never lose its inherent value or practical application. The understanding, even a small glimpse, of our spiritual relationship to God, infinite Truth and Love, is always radiant and real. 

The spiritual fact that God is good, always present, and ever caring for His ideas is priceless.

In Christian Science, we are blessed to have sessions built right into the activity of church for appreciating spiritual treasures. The provisions for Wednesday evening testimony meetings at Churches of Christ, Scientist, and the publishing of testimonies in the Christian Science periodicals provide opportunity for those who have felt the healing influence of priceless, spiritual truths to share those experiences. Of such testimony, Mrs. Eddy writes, “More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, ‘who healeth all thy diseases’ ” (Manual of The Mother Church, p. 47). This helps to keep God’s care and love uppermost in our thought so we don’t forget the value of the priceless treasures He has endowed to us.

At one particular Wednesday testimony meeting I attended, nearly everyone present gave thanks for a healing experience. One person saw his paralyzed thumb restored to normal action when he realized God’s ever-present goodness. An urgent need for cash was quickly met when another testifier realized he could completely trust divine Love’s perpetual care for all its children. Another person had fallen down some steps and suffered much pain, but was healed quickly by knowing she, as God’s child, had never been outside God’s care.

These were just some of the testimonies shared that evening that led attendants to walk out of that meeting rejoicing. Many had been enriched by the reminders of God’s love, care, and goodness, as well as by the tangible and practical proofs shared that evidenced that love.

The writer of Proverbs tells us that through spiritual understanding we become conscious of the riches of God’s goodness, which is our permanent inheritance from Him: “Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. … that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures” (8:18, 21). The infinitude of God’s goodness can neither diminish nor increase. But taking the opportunity to consider that goodness in our hearts and minds multiplies our understanding of the value of spiritual truth beyond measure, and leads to divine blessing shining with greater luster in our thought.