LightGrams
December 4, 2025
Volume 29, Number 38
GameStop is a name familiar to most video game enthusiasts. According to Wikipedia, there are more than 3,200 of these stores worldwide, with the largest portion of those in the U.S. In the city where I live there are two. Earlier this week, the corporate headquarters announced a transaction that was the largest of its kind in their 41-year history.
The transaction involved the purchase of a vintage (2003) Pokemon card. A customer brought this into the GameStop store in Grapevine, TX and after the card was thoroughly vetted a price of $30,494.70 was agreed upon. More than $30,000 for a piece of old carboard? As the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Yes, I’m shaking my head in disbelief.
But that’s mere peanuts compared to other cardboard transactions. On AllVintageCards.com a list of 30 of the most valuable baseball cards can be found. A 1909 Ty Cobb baseball card is valued at $1 million; a 1933 Babe Ruth card is worth $3.5 million; and a 1909 Honus Wagner card should bring about $8 million. If you have a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, you have a $13 million card in your hands.
Jesus told two parables in Matthew 13 that follow this idea of unrealized treasures. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). In the following verses He spoke of a “pearl of great price” which again led the finder to sell everything to buy it (Matthew 13:45,46). Others had overlooked the hidden treasure and the pearl, but these men saw their value.
So, what is it, Jesus, that is worth selling all that I have in order to obtain it? “The kingdom of heaven” was the subject of those two parables. That refers to living under God’s rule, following His teachings, and enjoying His blessings. Not everyone sees the Christian lifestyle as a treasure, but those who have discerning eyes don’t hesitate to heed Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 16:24: “If anyone desire to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Deny myself? Take up a cross – an instrument of death? Why would I choose to make such a life-changing decision? “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). There is no greater treasure than the salvation of one’s soul. Jesus Christ alone can do that for us.
Trading cards are made of cardboard; they deteriorate over time. Cars, homes, gold ingots, diamonds – all those things we consider treasures will one day be gone. But our souls will endure beyond death and the destruction of this planet. Let’s heed the Master on the topic of treasures.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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