Things Men Consider Cheap

Someone said, “Riches are a golden key that opens every door except the door of heaven.” Men may consider things like money, security, property, or pleasure valuable. But often times men have their values confused and we tend to think of things as valuable, when truly they are of very little value. Keep this thought in mind ---- that which man considers valuable is not so considered by the Lord. Jesus said: “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). John D. Rockefeller is supposed to have said, “I would give all my millions for a working man’s stomach.” Money is not all. Men must train themselves to think of things valuable if the Lord thinks them to be valuable. Christ is the best judge of a bargain. What is my evaluation of things in contrast to His? Jesus said: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2), and “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our soul should be regarded as the most valuable thing that we possess.

Righteousness

Something is cheap to a person if he would give just a little for it. Anything that exalts a nation must be very valuable. The wisest of all men said, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). This would eliminate the oppression of one group by another. It would end racial hatred and political prejudices. It would eliminate the waste of money spent for liquor as well as on welfare that people do not deserve - when they won’t work. It would do away with dishonesty in business and government. Truly the Lord knows what is valuable, but it seems that most men won’t accept the formula given to us by God.

Following Christ

If you consider something cheap, you won’t give much for it. That’s the reason I know that men consider following after Christ very cheap. They don’t put any money or effort into it. If they considered following Jesus Christ a valuable thing, they would do so at all costs. Only a very few people do. Jesus saw Simon and his brother fishing on the sea of Galilee and Jesus said, “come and I will make you fishers of men.” The Bible says they left their nets and followed Him. Jesus puts great value on following Jesus the Christ. In fact, we must leave all, as did His beloved disciples. Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). Most people must consider Christ cheap, because very little value is placed on their salvation.

Don’t Set Your Hope on Riches

All the solid evidence points to the wisdom of setting our affections on heavenly things. Men depend too much on material things. If we have money, we feel secure. The Bible says: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). One corrupts, corrodes, rusts and rots, while the other remains. One promises much and delivers little. The other promises much and God has the power to deliver. We sing the song, “Jesus is all the world to me” but do we really believe it and trust in Him? There have been many men on their death bed wishing they could buy back the past, but it is too late. One cannot do so. If one could only buy back a few days to accept the Lord, how secure he would be, but he comes to his death realizing that money now will do absolutely no good. It truly is my hope and prayer that all men would “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). That is not cheap at all – that is where true value is.