“In February 1986, at a gem-and-mineral bazaar in Tucson, Arizona, an amateur rockhound sold an egg-sized, violet-and-blue stone to Texas gemologist Roy Whetstine for $10 — the original asking price was $15, but Whetstine talked him down. After months of rigorous appraisal, Whetstine made an announcement about his $10 rock: it was a 1,905-carat star sapphire with an estimated, uncut value of $2.28 million. His good fortune was not just good luck. He points out, “I was used to handling rocks and saying, ‘Yeah, that’s a keeper’ or ‘That’s no good’.” The difference between a rock hound and a gemologist, between the amateur’s $10 rock and Whetstine’s $2.28 million find, is an eye and feel for value. The difference between heaven and hell, eternal regret or eternal reward, is an eye for the truly valuable things in life” (Craig Brian Larson, preaching.com).
An appraiser is someone who assesses the value of something -- like a house, a car, or even a rock. In most cases, it takes years of training and experience to be good at the job. But there is a sense in which all of us are appraisers. No, we haven’t been to school for it. We don’t have a business license. We aren’t even listed with the Better Business Bureau. But every day, we make spiritual value judgments. We assess what is truly important to us and what is not. And those appraisals affect our thinking and actions.
Here are some questions to ask ourselves as we think about the value judgments we make. Do I love the things of the world more than I love God (1 John 2:15-17)? Do I desire the approval of men more than the approval of God (John 12:42-43)? Do I love evil things more than good things (Psalm 52:1-4)? If my answer to any of these questions reveal that my value system is out of whack, what can I do? The apostle Paul would tell me to refocus on the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). All else should pale in comparison.
God loves you!
Mike
