Three months ago, the world of social media lost an icon. Kevin "the Godfather" Samuels, YouTuber, image consultant, life-coach, dating expert and influencer, died on May 5, 2022.
Rolling Stone magazine reported that Samuels had amassed 1.4 million subscribers on his YouTube channel since joining in May 2015, while his videos have garnered over 295 million views (as of publication). He was berated for what some considered his views to be full of misogyny. One, comment that made him a public enemy to Black women is the following:
“If you have made it to 35 and you are unmarried, you are a leftover woman. You are what is left. Men know that there is likely something wrong with you. Whether you want to hear it or not, I’m going to go there with you. I’m telling you the truth that you don’t want to hear.”
He was equally critical of Black men.
“Being a good man is not good enough! Not if you wanna have your pick of women…saying that you are good enough is just another way of saying I’m too lazy to do anything else. You’re not getting the women you want because you’re not good enough!”
The news of his death was just as polarizing as his YouTube show. A 911 call was made by one of his consorts that he was dating that night. He was nonresponsive, and on May 5, 2022, at the age of 57, Kevin Samuels was pronounced dead.
Reports of Black women rejoicing that he had passed triggered responses to the news like “It was poetic justice, Karma, etc.” Black men were saddened. They felt that they had lost a warrior for their cause of ultimate “dogism” (whoremongering). Black men loved him, and Black women hated him. He was indeed an influencer.
But Samuels biggest influence on pop culture was not just his controversial views on dating, but he is responsible for reviving the concept and coining the expression the “High-Value Man.” Society has always valued rich and influential people, but Samuels composed qualities of what men needed to be to amass “more options and to create opportunity for more favorable outcomes” namely in business but relationships as well; however, some have taken his idea and used it as a recipe to create a harem or to consider oneself husband worthy.
Here are Samuels’s six principles of a High-Value Man:
• Money—He must earn a minimum of six figures ($10k/mo)
• Stability—The salary must be over a period of 3-5 yrs minimum
• Credibility (Group Acceptance)—He must be known by other HVM (birds of a feather flocked together & secret societies, fraternities, sororities)
• Networking--He must know other people who are also influential because having wealth means you can only throw money at a problem. Picking up the phone knowing who can move things is a show of being resourceful (Book of Business).
• Visibility—He must have a Linked-In level career for transparency (saying you’re a VP at Goldman-Sachs is more compelling than saying you’re an entrepreneur)
• Utility—He must be useful to others and to the group. “I do not want to be used" is the wrong mindset. Presence is felt when they are there, and their absence is felt when they are gone.
The Lord has laid it on my heart to discuss with you the principles of becoming a High-Value Saint. The qualities that Samuels uses for defining a High-Value Man, we can use, with some modifications, to describe a High-Value Saint. In the parable of the Hidden Treasure, we can draw principles that make a High-Value Saint.
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44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matthew 13:44
Jesus taught the people in parables. A parable is a short story to depict a figure of speech or a moral object lesson. This parable is number five of seven of the parables given in which Christ is trying to convey the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is not an accident that Matthew records seven of these parables in this chapter because God’s number is seven and represents His will coming to fulfillment or completion. And we are all waiting the coming of God’s kingdom. We pray it "Thy kingdom come."
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field,” Jesus said. If God loves us, if God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, why would He hide His kingdom from us? This does not make any sense! Spiritual things have to be spiritually discerned.
In all these parables, something is hidden. Something is concealed. The word “hid” comes from the Greek word “krypto.” You ever heard of cryptocurrency? That is to say currency whose true value is hidden. Warren Buffet said he does not invest in anything that He does not understand. And that is exactly who in this parable the kingdom is hidden from people like Warren Buffett. Jesus reference to Isaiah’s prophecy in Matthew 13:14, 15, was a protest to the Jewish leaders in their handling of the oracles of God. They had a field of knowledge of God and His plan of salvation but could never uncover the hidden treasure. So, that which they had was taken from them, and the disciples who received saw the hidden value of God’s word and prospered.
The Spirit of prophecy states,
In the parable, the field containing the treasure represents the Holy Scriptures. And the gospel is the hidden treasure. Christ Object Lessons, p. 104
Jesus’s explanation in the Parable of the Sower rendered the seed the Word of God.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luke 8:11
It is the Word of God that is hidden into the soily hearts of men, and its reception is depended upon the good ground of faith. It is the word of God that produces the wheat of Christlikeness; it is the small seed of faith clasping the Word of God that yields a mustard tree of righteousness that benefits the world. It is the word that leavens righteousness into the character of God’s people; it is the word of God that cultures the high value Pearl of Christ’s character within the clams of humanity. It is the word of God that captures people and then divides the good and the bad.
These parables inculcate how the kingdom of heaven is verbiage for God’s rule or reign in our lives. If we exist in His kingdom, then His word rules our lives.
The Hidden Treasure is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us to “Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). We are not told why this man was in the field. Perhaps, His listeners understood that this man was a farmer, but what we do know is that he found something that was worth keeping to himself until he was able to purchase the whole field. There is value in this knowledge. It is a knowledge that the Spirit of prophecy states is “above all other sciences.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ tells us how to become High Value Saints.
The first principle of becoming a High Value Saint, Remember Kevin related everything to business or finance; he said we needed to earn at least $10k a month, but we are going the spiritual route. The first principle is we must have at least a grain of mustard seed faith!
The field that the treasure was hidden is the Word of Godk, and faith is the product of the Word.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
It is a spiritual commodity and is one of three of Heavens’ highest currencies—faith, hope, charity (1 Corinthians 13:13). The Word of God gives substance to our faith. Remember it is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In essence, our faith is valuable for it is as the Spirit of prophecy states, “the hand of faith that holds the key that unlocks heaven’s storehouse” (Prayer, p. 24). So, just enough faith is required to gain us access to the wealthiest place in the universe is all we need.
The second principle builds upon the first. Mr. Samuels said that earning six figures once does not equate to stability. It must be maintained three to five years. Well, mustard seeds grow. Then our faith must grow. The Bible said that when the man found the treasure, he hid it again. Get this because it is important. What are we told to hide?
18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. Deuteronomy 11:18
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15
When we search the Word, what are we really seeking? Jesus! And once we catch a glimmer of Christ, we embrace Him, and allow Him a place in our hearts. We are going to hide this treasure until we can sell everything that we possess to buy the field that is full of more treasures.
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Isaiah 55:1, 2
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Revelation 3:18
We buy by denying self. We purchase by sacrificing our desires for His desire. And it is a daily thing not just a three-to-five-year span! That’s what it means to sell all you have in spiritual terms. Jesus said,
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
The third principle is group acceptance. Do other high value men or women acknowledge you? Are you a member of a fraternity, sorority, secret society like the Freemasons? Believe it or not, group acceptance is credibility. None of those organizations are credible with God. The only organization that He holds near and dear to His heart is the Church which is the “ground and pillar of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). And it was God who placed His value upon the saints,
8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts…he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. Zechariah 2:8
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18, 19
And we know that the Body is the Church, God said to the Church,
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
No other organization has this power on earth! Heaven holds in high estimation the members of the body of Christ. The influence of such an organization to corral sinners with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to release the impenitent has made group acceptance necessary. So, having church at home does not constitute credibility. You must be a part of the group.
Fourth principle of becoming a High Value Saint is networking. Mr. Samuels said that we must have a “Book of Business.” You must know of other high value people to get things done. If you only have you, then how effective will you be at achieving and accomplishing things? You can only throw money at an issue. Sometimes influence is more important than money.
The Church must operate on a “Book of Believers.” People that you know you can count on when you lose a job, have a rocky marriage, distressed with wayward children, depressed behind a dismal diagnosis, or just in a long, spiritual, winter season,
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Galatians 6:1-3
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
We must pray and ask the Lord to help us network with some other High Value Saints because we know that there are some “tares” among us!
The fifth principle to becoming a High Value Saint is total visibility and transparency. Mr. Samuels described this by comparing what people do for a living. In other words, you must have a Linked-In level career. What does that mean? Saying that you are a VP of operations at Coca-Cola, a Chief of Surgeons at John Peter Smith, or a Engineer at Raytheon is more convincing and transparent than saying, you’re an entrepreneur. Drug dealers are entrepreneurs!
Likewise, Christians must be transparent. People should not have to guess what we are. Are you a Christian or not? All this Hebrew Israelite and Black Jesus stuff does not mean anything. Paul said that the Jews who are proud of being circumcised are made uncircumcised by their lifestyle of disobedience.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Romans 2:25
As Christians, we act as though it is normal to sin. It is not normal but carnal. It is not expected but suspected. And the suspicion arises around this,
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:8, 9
The man that found the treasure was willing to sell out for it. Are we ready to sell out for Jesus?
The sixth and last principle is Utility. Mr. Samuels said that contrary to popular opinion, “I do not want to be used” is the wrong mindset. He said High Value People want to be used. Brothers and sisters, do you know why Jesus is sick of His Church in these last days? You say sick! Yes, He said the spiritual condition of His church today is making him want to vomit.
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15, 16
Just like lukewarm water is useless, so is Laodicea. We will not take the hot-watered Spirit to soothe the aches and pains of the weary or give the cool, refreshing Word of God to quench the desires of the restless, so we just sit because we do not want to be used.
High Value Saints want to be used in any capacity that will bring glory to God. High Value Saints want to be useful to the cause of God in ushering in the Second Advent of our Lord. High Value Saints want to be utilized in the warfare of good and evil to rescue the imprisoned.
Jesus’s death alone is what makes us High Value Saints. If you have not connected with Christ, I do not care how smart you are, how much money you make, what your career is, what group you affiliate with, how many people you know, or what your accomplishments are, you are not holding the bag, you are not high value but are of no value. John 15:5, "without me you are nothing." As I have always been told, everything that glitters ain’t gold!
But Jesus came to make us His treasure, the prophet said,
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:17
Christ spared us to become His treasure. Will you accept the hidden treasure today? Will you invite Christ into your heart today? Will you trade your life for the life of Him who died to set you free? Pray with me!
