‘Value’ is a word that interests us. We almost always relate the word to economics. Businesses look at the value of an item based how it will impact the bottom line – the profit or loss in monetary terms. Individuals have to regularly determine whether to pay the price of merchandise. They may be willing to pay the assigned price based on personal need of it, peer pressure, or self-gratification. As Christians we must not lose sight of the value God places on items. This value remains constant even in eras of recessions, depressions, or booms.

We cannot discount the importance of economic value. To do so can lead to bad business decisions, overwhelming debt, or lost opportunities. However we have to realize that value can be assessed in other ways than dollars and cents.

Scripture discusses a number of items that have value. I want to draw our attention to two of these. These are of great value and are entities of which we do not want to lose sight no matter the depth of cultural pressure to view value purely in terms of economics.

Proverbs 22:1 states that “A good name is to be chosen than great riches.” We do not have to search too far on the internet to read of individuals who have lost their good name. In our anti-Christian era it is interesting to note that public figures are particularly newsworthy when they actually or allegedly break one or more of the Ten Commandments. Is someone unfaithful to their wife? Has someone enriched themselves by embezzlement? Has an angry individual abused family members? These and similar actions are often viewed unfavorably. They can lead to economic loss as endorsement contracts are cancelled or lawyers must be retained and paid larges sums of money.  However, there are other losses than just economic. One’s reputation or marriage can be destroyed. The guilty person, realizing the loss, can try to escape by abusing alcohol or by some other futile means. Once lost, the good name can take years to be regained.

As Christians we have to realize that ultimately our good name rests in what Christ has done on our behalf. Once we are saved we have a heart that desires to live in a God-honoring manner. It is in this sense that the proverb speaks. Our life cannot be one of sin and cover up. It must be one of acknowledgment of the sin, repentance, restitution when possible, and restoration. It must also be a life of turning from temptation, by God’s grace. Money cannot buy this kind of name. Once a good name is lost, money cannot restore it.

God’s commandments are more valuable than riches according to Psalm 19:7-11 and Psalm 119:72, 127. This goes against cultural thinking that presses the pursuit of monetary wealth and considers Lord’s Day observance and biblical applications of other commandments as mostly archaic and a hindrance to monetary gain.  Yet we need to note the wealth that comes from a knowing and doing of God’s commands and his word as a whole. Note a few examples of this wealth from Psalm 119.

Verse 9 states that a young man can keep his way pure by living according to scripture. This counsel spares many the consequences of unwise choices, provides backbone to face temptation, and provides much wisdom in one’s approach to the media and to technology. Verse 46 speaks of the author bearing witness before the political leaders. God’s law provides solid grounding for our thoughts on a multitude of issues that are regularly before our elected officials. What light does God’s word shed on how to deal with immigration issue or with energy policy? No area of life is neutral or not addressed by God’s word. It is the starting point for Christians to use in deciding basic principles to employ in addressing ongoing and new issues that we face.

Verse 105 speaks of God’s law being a daily guide for us. It teaches us financial principles and how to live as a single or as a spouse. It provides basic instruction regarding the raising of children and the basis for human dignity.

This one psalm provides other examples that stress the value of God’s law and the Bible as a whole. The above items and many others that could be mentioned are those which gold and silver cannot buy.

We may often stress to our children the importance of getting a good education in order to obtain a good job that pays well. There is nothing wrong with a good education or a well-paying job; however, ultimate value does not rest in money earned.

We must, as individuals and parents, live out and teach others God’s determination of value. It’s all too easy to set our sights on the getting of that which will one day be forgotten and forgetting that which is of eternal value.

Review ©2008 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia