How valuable is the life of a human being?
Is it of less value than a sports car?
How about a pair of fancy shoes?
These are all things that people have
killed to obtain from someone else.
Have you ever given thought to what it is that makes things valuable? What determines the value of something for you?
For many people it is based on what they are going to get.
For others it is because they have had to pay a great price to obtain something.
- The person that paid a great deal of money for a pair of shoes
- The parents who have spent hours laboring over a sick child
I. Our need of that thing
Let’s say that right now you had a $100 bill in your pocket and I asked you to give it to me for this glass of water. You would probably say that I was crazy or at least wonder what was so special about it.
But let’s change the picture a little bit, Imagine that you have been walking for days and days in the burning desert, with your mouth dry needing water. Then you suddenly saw me standing in front of you with a tall glass of ice cold water. Now all of a sudden that glass of water is worth a whole lot more to you than it had been! What changed the worth of that glass of water. It was the same simple thing – just a glass of water. But right now you don’t have that need, you can wait till this service is over and go back to the water fountain in the restroom and get a drink for free, or you can wait till you drive home and get one for yourself.
II. Our needs can change
Some needs are more important than others, but sometimes things that we thought were very valuable suddenly lose their attraction.
Picture yourself driving your car down a mountain road in an unfamiliar area. You suddenly come upon a sharp curve in the road and try to stop but you were going just a little bit too fast and your car crashes into the guardrails. You realize what has happened and begin to survey the situation leaning forward to see what is around and as you lean forward your car does the same. You quickly lean back in your seat and begin to think. Right at that moment your needs have taken a drastic change. You might even have the $200 in your pocket that you were going to spend on that new vacuum cleaner that you really needed, but right then you would gladly give that money up to get out of that situation.
Perhaps some people would be thinking about that opportunity in a church service that they passed up. It just didn’t seem that important to them at that time, but the value of things has changed for them.
III. Our Want of something
This is often as strong, sometimes stronger, than our need of something. In my case that new computer or new component that we think we must have, perhaps that new furniture, new car, or new outfit.
IV. The value of a soul
What kind of value do we place upon human life? To many people other’s lives are worth so little that all they are worried about is their reputation. It occurred at one time that someone was shot for the mere $7 that he had in his pocket. Some have even killed because of an angry word that was spoken to them or a facial expression someone gave to them.
Luke 12:6-7
6. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Your life is worth one of the greatest prices that was ever paid. It is worth the life of Jesus Christ. If you had been the only person alive on this planet He would have come and died just so that you wouldn’t have had to.
“Twas battered and scared, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
to waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bidden, good folks,” He cried,
“Who’ll start bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar – now who’ll make it two
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going, going . . . but wait!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: “What am I bidden for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow;
“A thousand dollars – and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand – and who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice
Going, going, and Gone,” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand –
What changed its worth?” The man replied:
“The touch of the master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned off cheap to a thoughtless crowd.
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He’s going once, He’s going twice
He’s going, going he’s almost gone!
But then the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the MASTER’S hand.
- Myra B. Welch
Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife,
But He made something beautiful out of my life.
