PRICE/WORTH/VALUE?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
Matthew 13: 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for treasure for yourselves upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 21 FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man GIVE IN EXCHANGE for HIS OWN soul?
Matthew 19:21 tells of a very nice, rich young man with a warped value system.
I ponder value? Worth? price?
I saw where a person paid $0.50 for something at a yard sell, and later sold the same piece for $55,000.00.
Somebody did not know value?
I ponder why 50 cents vs. 55 thousand?
What do you treasure? Money? Family? Church? Sports? TV?
Words are cheap? It is not what you say you treasure? It is where you invest your time, talent, and energy ... that is where your treasure is? Where is my treasure invested?
A. OFTEN REAL TREASURE IS HIDDEN.
Many people can easily focus on the present.
We have many shallow, external, surface visionaries today.
We seem to want to be superficial and value outward, carnal value systems. The word of God is powerful and it exposes the danger of this shallowness.
Matthew 13: 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
The treasure was hidden from the eye.
Much effort would be required to obtain the pearl of great price.
Others see the field, and the value of the field, a submitted eye sees BEYOND THE FIELD.
There must be a WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE,
TO SELL ALL, TO GIVE WHAT YOU KNOW FOR WHAT YOU COULD BE.
When nothing else matters, change will come!
B. THERE ARE COUNTERFEIT PEARLS THAT DISTRACT AND HINDER FROM THE REAL VALUE.
1 Busyiness.
2 Chasing rainbows and riches.
3 Seek honor, trophies, and applause of man.
4 Learning, we learn more and more about less and less until finally we know everything about nothing.
5 Relationships.
C. A VERY POOR RICH MAN?
Matthew 19:21 tells of a very nice, rich young man with a warped value system.
Things and possessions meant more than hearing the Son of God.
He could have been perfect, sell all and GIVE...
We do not think all have to sell all, ...
unless they value their things more than their eternal walk.
D. WHERE YOUR HEART IS ... IS YOUR BANKING SYSTEM!
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for treasure for yourselves upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21 FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.
E. WHAT GIVES VALUE TO CHRISTIAN LIVING?
What gives life it’s value?
When do we value life?
Is this worth dying for?
We often live in trivial pursuit!
We fight and have strife over trinkets, and our eyes are hidden from the eternal value system.
Judas put a price tag on his relationship with Jesus, 30 pieces of silver.
Lot’s wife put the value at a look-back?
What made her want to look back? Was some desire hidden in her heart? Misplaced treasures?
F. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF TODAY?
We often put more value on the future more than the present.
We forget the future is very deceitful.
Building a house for future happiness is building a house that is currently a prison.
We fail to find joy in the journey, we are seeking the destination, and forgetting the journey is important? Are we having fun yet?
G. WE ARE SELFISH, AND SEEK PLEASURE, WHEN SHOULD BE A TEAM .
T-E-A-M:
Together Everybody Accomplishes More.
I once heard an argument whether it is the upper blade or the under blade of a pair of scissors that cut a piece of paper?
It was discussed that the upper or sharper blade cost more to produce.
Then the dispute went on to ponder, the sharper edge was worthless without an opposing fulcrum.
We need a support on which the fulcrum turns.
H. OUR VALUE SYSTEMS SEEM TO HINGE ON MONEY OR PLEASURE.
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man GIVE IN EXCHANGE for HIS OWN soul?
Money can’t buy everything.
Have you ever noticed, how useless gold is, but it is so highly esteemed every where.
We value man so little, gold so much?
Men value gold more than other men?
What is the value of good health and a good conscience?
I. DO WE VALUE OUR PASTORS AND LEADERS?
1 Tim. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in word and doctrine?
We are not afraid to disrespect and undermine those in authority? We like to talk behind their backs?
What is the value of a GOOD TEACHER? We muzzle many oxen?
J. OUR SOCIETY PUTS VERY LITTLE VALUE ON THE FAMILY.
Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust her. Prov. 31:10-11.
Some will cry for starving children in Haiti and Africa, and be bitter and fault finders in the home. Love starts at home.
K. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AN OLD FRIEND?
I see many that dump old friends and smother their new friends.
Remember the friends of your parents.
Good words are worth much and cost so little. The person giving the gift is worth far more than the gift!
L. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF LIVING?
A living dog is better than a dead lion?
If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
When the well is dry we know the worth of the water!
If it is not worth praise, is it worth whining? Believe life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
The price of wisdom is above rubies... Job 28:18
M. MANY SEE THE VALUE OF SOMETHING TODAY... WE NEED TO SEE THE POTENTIAL.
A great diamond in the rough, cannot be seen by everyone, only a trained eye.
Once when I was a boy, a Sunday school teacher told me, "You are a mean, bad boy!..."
They refused to see a school teacher? a pastor?
Pastors and Parents often criticize and put down and dwarf growth. If it is not worth praise, is it worth whining?
Value is the life giving power of anything...
Cost is the quantity of labor required to produce anything....
Price is the quantity of labor which its possessor will take in exchange for it.
Nothing is worth more than what the purchaser will pay for it?
N. It Depends Whose Hands It’s In
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark Mcguire’s hands is worth $19 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Venus Williams’ hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
The price of a 1000 horses, or the only son?
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
As you see now it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God’s hands because It depends whose hands it’s in
O. FOOLISH INVESTORS: YOU’VE GOT IT MADE!
YOU HAVE THINGS LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS....
Luke 12:19 I will say to my soul, SOUL THOU HAST MUCH GOODS LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS; TAKE THINE EASE, EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY...
God calls him a FOOL...
SO IS HE THAT LAYETH UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF, AND IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD.
An unexamined life is not worth living.
We live in a day, one would rather discuss how to fix a bicycle, than honestly consider ETERNITY. ??
We invest in long-term worthlessness?
What has lasting value?
Many know the price, but few ever learn the difference in price and value.
Will you evaluate how you are spending your time and MAKE ANY NEEDED ON THE COURSE ADJUSTMENTS.
May we never be called a FOOL by God?
He had much goods for many years ... HE JUST DID NOT HAVE MANY YEARS.
How much time do you have? Are you a wise investor?
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
Please enlarge my hands and pass to others?
