Things Considered Valuable

Money

When we think of things valuable, we usually think of money. If you had a ten-thousand-dollar bill, it would be valuable, at least in the eyes of men. A thing may be valuable because of what it will buy, or it may be valuable because it is scarce. Or a thing may be valuable because it has sentimental value to a particular person. So, in a real sense, money is very valuable in the eyes of most of us. But it is very easy to consider it too valuable. 

When money, or its equivalent, causes us to be envious, or jealous; when money is put before friends or other things more valuable, we are getting the wrong concept of money. Some people know the price of everything, but the value of nothing. The wise man said, “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city.” While valuable, let us ask this question: “What value does the Lord place on money?” The Bible says: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The rich man in Luke 12 thought so much of himself and his wealth that he forgot about what was really important - his soul! Notice what is said in Luke 12:19-21: “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then who's will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Wealth is only a temporary thing. Our soul will live forever. Our soul, or money – what do you think is the most important? 

Security

Solomon said, “The rich man is wise in his own eyes” (Proverbs 28:11). A person with money thinks of himself as very secure. Insurance companies are among the wealthiest businesses in the world. Men put much faith and money in security. We want to be secure in our homes, in our businesses. We want to provide for the time when we will not have a good income. Money makes us feel secure. Did you ever think how much better you felt with money in your pocket - especially if you are on a trip or away from home. Security is a very valuable thing to mankind.

But the security that is really valuable is the conviction that I will someday live with God. Paul said: “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). The impossibility of apostasy is a doctrine of Satan; but strong faith in God is the greatest security one can have. Think about it, do you have the security of knowing that you are doing all things that are pleasing to God? Remember Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Pleasure

Men seem to be living for pleasure, power and prosperity. Did you ever think how much money is spent on pleasure? Men will risk life and limb to have a good time......to satisfy the desires of the flesh and of the mind. Men will risk a whole life in prison for a few moments of pleasure. Men will spend thousands, risk their lives, endanger their home, and do just about any other foolish act for a few moments of pleasure. This is a form of selfishness.

What does the Lord think of pleasures? Listen to the inspired writer as he commends Moses of old: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26). Moses had the perfect opportunity to forsake his values and enjoy wealth, fame, fortune, and all the other pleasures of life. But he chose to live a life devoted to God. The Lord commended him for that choice in these verses. Will the Lord be able to say these things about you and me? We should all desire to be like those others that are mentioned in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, which I like to call the “Hall of Faith chapter.” Don’t forsake the Lord for a few moments of pleasure here on this earth. It’s not worth spending an eternity away from God because of it. May we all think about what is truly valuable and realize that the most valuable thing that we all possess is our own soul.