My mom likes scavenger hunts. She did one when my siblings and I were little. It wasn’t a birthday or special event, but that didn’t matter. Mama just loved coming up with the clues and sending her kids off on a journey for treasures. (I remember one clue sent us to the freezer.) Even now she gets a kick out of planning these hunts for various events (I think this is why she likes hiding Easter eggs so much).

 

The new film The Ultimate Gift could have been named The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt or Scavenger Hunt for the Soul. My titles don’t cut it, but this is a story of a young man who learns to value what is truly important in life.

 

Jason Stevens, the grandson of self-made business tycoon Red Stevens, was born with silver everything, not just a silver spoon. The 20-something Stevens has had everything handed to him. He lives without a care in the world—well, one care—himself. And he is nursing a big-time grudge. He holds his grandfather responsible for his father's death.

 

 

Red wants something different for his grandson Jason, who is a lot like his father. The elder Stevens believes Jason has the potential to be a better man than he is. In a recorded video message Red gives his grandson an ultimatum: Jason will get his inheritance only when and if he accomplishes 12 tasks.

 

At first Jason does what he has to do only for the end result, potentially millions of dollars. But his grandfather knows that accomplishing each task is actually a gift in and of itself. Jason learns the value of work, friendship, family and learning. He also learns patience in unimaginable circumstances. And as he faces the truth about his father’s death, he learns to forgive, the best lesson of all.

 

On this journey Jason Stevens comes face to face with the person he really is, and he doesn’t like himself. Only when we know who we really are can we begin to make the changes we need to make. Red Stevens knew his grandson had the potential to be a different man, and he helped Jason become who he was always meant to be.

 

This movie might be a bit slow-moving for some, but it is rich in nuggets of wisdom and truth and well worth watching. Even though there isn't a clear gospel message, biblical principles are showcased throughout the story.

 

The culmination of the different lessons, the people Jason encounters and his discovery of what is truly valuable in life is a tremendous reminder to us all. The priceless things in life are what really count.