Some things are worth more than face value
I was in Glasgow today. There is always such a buzz around the city centre. It seems to me to be quite inspirational for twittering. I don't know why. I think the idea of a photo and a wee bit of patter just seems to go down really well in Glasgow. I was walking along St Vincent Street towards George Square this afternoon when I suddenly was reminded of my past sins as I past by this Jewellery Shop.
Years and years ago when I worked in the bank in Maryhill, it was common practice among the bank tellers to sort through literally thousands of pounds of silver coins looking for pre 1913 and also pre 1947 silver coins. Lunch hour after lunch hour, ten pound bags of silver would be opened and the content scrutinised for the appropriate silver coins. When you thought you had enough you'd take them down to the coin shop above and get paid a handsome profit on the face value of the coins. These were coins worth a lot more than their face value. You'd return from your trip into the city, just in time to open the doors to the next lot of Maryhill punters.
There would be a slight smile on your face after all you had sometimes more than doubled your money. It was while I was in this particular branch that I had the dubious experience of closing Billy Connolly's Deposit Account. The Big Yin came in dressed like a hippy with his long hair and his red and white two inch broad stripped hipsters. They had been all the rage 10 years previous but Billy was never renowned for his dress taste. He handed over the book lifted his last coin I think the total might have been just over 50p and went on his way rejoicing. I of course was careful to make sure that all silver coins given to customers were anything but pre 1947.
Got me thinking about the people and friends that are worth a loy=t more than face value. I think i'll use this experience today to help me reflect on the passage I'm preaching on tomorrow from James chapter 2. Here James warns his Christian brothers and sisters about the dangers attached to favouritism and also about despising the poor. many a poor man is worth a lot more than his face value.
