What's It Worth?
"Christianity if false is of no
importance, and if true of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is
moderately important." C.S.Lewis.
In this life, we put a value to everything. Ever hear the
phrase, "One man's trash is another man's
treasure." The above quotation begs the question... what's it worth? Of
how much value is your virtue? How about your hope? Even better your salvation?
What is that worth to you?
Without proper appreciations, people can hoard things of
little importance while throwing away many of life's most precious treasures.
Adam and Eve sacrificed a paradise for a moment's reckless
folly for a taste of that which was forbidden. Esau sold
his birthright for a stew. Judas betrayed his greatest friend for thirty pieces
of silver. The Prodigal Son wasted a fortune for foolish
pleasures in a life that left him starving in a pig pen.
One of the most amazing
things about much of humanity is that they place a very low
value on virtue, morality and hope. There are a few things in life that are exceedingly
important. The wise person would not think of throwing these things away
for things that, by comparison, are virtually garbage. Jesus taught that His words
and His way are like the pearl of great price, worth everything else that one
may give up in order to possess it!
Christianity is like the
hidden treasure that a man found, and he sold all that he had so that he would
be able to buy it. It is worth self-denial, taking up one's cross, bearing
whatever burden he must, and suffering whatever deprivation necessary in order
to have that which deserves to be first in one's life.
The words of Christ
resound through the ages: "Seek ye first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness...." (Matthew 6:33). Satan is
the most ruthless criminal of all time. For mere pennies,
he can buy off souls that Christ gave His life to save -
all because many are poor, poor traders; they never truly
learned the value of Christianity and their own life. The Savior asks, "For
what is a man profited if
he gains the whole world and loses his
own soul?" (Mark 8:36).
Do
we often think of what Christianity is worth? One word sums it up...
EVERYTHING
Finally, let me ask you this. Could
you sell everything you have and give it away and have nothing but the clothes
on your back left? Sound absurd and ridiculous? Jesus ask
a man to do just that in. the parable of the rich man his answer was no. Could you truly answer yes if called to do so? Take a
moment to figure out how much the things of this world have a hold on you.
Think about it……What's it worth? Eric