The Definition of Treasure - My Thoughts Exactly!

When you treasure what you have, you are already rich. ~ Udai Yadla

Sigh. Treasure as a verb is easy. Merriam Webster keeps it simple – something you cherish or consider precious. The noun definition, however, first lists material items and then suggests something of great value. As an afterthought, then, someone. I don’t think I would have listed possibilities in that order, but many well-known men in literature would have.

Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge is likely the most famous of all misers. He was surely the most miserable, at least before the visitations. His business involved money lending and commodity trading, according a blog called Library of Congress, as well as other sources. We know from the story that he was totally absorbed by the accumulation of money. Not its usefulness, just its ownership. We also note that he is also a solitary character, except for occasional efforts by his nephew to penetrate that tough exterior Ebenezer developed over the years.

The Ghost of Christmas Past revealed that in young adulthood Ebenezer had been wounded by his fiancée’s rejection, and beyond that point he seemed to find happiness only in money–something that couldn’t disappoint him as he had been disappointed in love, or judge him as his father had. He not only avoided his nephew’s entreaties, but also failed to have any close friends at the Exchange where he did business everyday. Acquaintances, yes. Friends, no.

George Eliot's Silas Marner

Silas Marner, from the perspective of other Raveloe residents, bore some similarities to Ebenezer. He had no one and didn’t appear to want to interact with anyone or anything, other than his collection of gold coins. They provided companionship in the evening, after he had drawn the curtains and eaten his meager supper. Their golden warmth provided all the joy he had, and all he thought he needed.

Silas, too, had been hurt badly years before. His best friend had framed him for a theft for the sole purpose of destroying Silas’ reputation, and therefore his betrothal to a young lady the friend admired. Silas left everything he knew in his childhood home of Lantern Yard and moved to Raveloe. In his prior life, he had been involved with friends, the church, and his community. No more.

Seeing a pattern?

Both of these misers were clinging to inanimate objects of value in an effort to replace what they had lost. Neither seemed spectacularly happy, though. Not until each story switched gears. Everybody knows about the the three Ghosts – Past, Present, and Future – that reminded Ebenezer of the joy that can be found in relationships and giving. Fewer people are familiar with Silas.

Eliot described him in a way that reminds me of Ichabod Crane. Thin, not attractive. She also mentioned he had protruding eyes and was exceedingly pale. He was only in his 40s, but looked much older. That look may have been part of the reason his neighbors avoided him, but he was odd in other ways, as well. (You’ll have to read the book.) Silas was a highly skilled weaver and charged accordingly, but he didn’t use his income to enhance his house or provisions. It was all about the money. Until.

Better than gold

Silas adopted a child that was abandoned on his property, and that gave him a new purpose. He changed completely, just as Ebenezer had, once he was shown the error of his ways and how happy he could be in the present, if only he allowed people in.

Supposedly, the theme of Silas Marner is the harmful effects of greed and isolation, and perhaps it is. But what I think about is the definition of treasure, and I don’t put material assets at the top of the list. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to have a safe, warm, dry place to sleep, but when I think of treasure, I think of intangibles:

Relationships with people I love – family and close friends.
The ability to gain knowledge and learn new skills.
Having the great gift of a purposeful life.

We are all vastly different, and how we place value will vary greatly from one person to the next. But it might be wise to take a few minutes to assess those things/people/abilities that enrich our lives, especially during this particular season, and give thanks.

Maybe in all seasons.