Hi. My name is Dave and I am addicted to “American Pickers.” I’m not sure why, but the hunt for those dusty/rusty treasures keeps me watching. I am also drawn to “Pawn Stars” which I have to resist watching lest I waste yet more time in front of the idiot box (what my mom and dad called it when we were kids – not sure if they were referring to the idiots watching it or the idiots appearing on it).
Nevertheless, I was lured on one of my days off to burn several hours entranced by a “Pawn Stars” marathon. Each potential deal was truly fascinating. And as I watched I was astounded by the consistency of customers to over-value the possession they sought to pawn or sell. Many of them grossly over-valued what they were bringing through the doors. Even from my amateur pawn king recliner, I could see that they were shooting for the moon and more apt to hit their foot.
Leave it to reality TV to impress upon me some lessons on the value of things which money cannot buy. Consider a few armchair musings.
Over-valuing our goodness – The moral reality is that our righteousness is as “filthy rags” despite what Joel Osteen tells us (I really do not mean this to sound mean-spirited. He has great teeth.) In referring to “filthy rags” Isaiah does not attack our personal worth, but our attempts at righteousness. Even our best behavior and worship is flawed due to motive or execution. If we simply trace the righteousness back to its source we have our answer. The imperfect soul will produce imperfect actions. Seems a little harsh, perhaps, but when we lay our best efforts alongside the infinitely pristine works of God. . . well, there you have it.
Under-valuing our worth – Appraisal of the worth of the human soul is tricky stuff. On the one hand Scripture seems rather clear that the pollution of sin has rendered us completely deserving of the full wrath of God. Not exactly a resounding affirmation of our high value. Early in the game, and even after the purging of creation by the flood, God confesses, almost with a resigned sigh, that “the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). Paul, without exaggeration, compiles the weight of Old Testament testimony concerning the same in Romans 3:10-18.
The verdict of Scripture seems fairly clear, however, that these same evil creatures (I’m talking about you and me here, just in case your thoughts drifted), are the focus of God’s love and compassion. David seems overwhelmed by it in Psalm 8. The “image of God” stamped on mankind from the beginning, even though also marked by sin, never is forgotten by God (see Genesis 1:26-27, then Genesis 5:1; Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7). Most convincing is the astounding fact that God Himself devised from before creation to personally pay the cost of rebellious man’s redemption.
Are we worth much to God? Isn’t it obvious?
Under-valuing the power of sin – Age brings insight. Not always wisdom, but insight. I am amazed now more than ever as to the craftiness of Satan. The ways that he lures Christ-followers into sin is almost admirable (not due to the results, of course, but due to the ingenuity). The perverseness of humanity has not made any major changes in either direction, but Satan has definitely emptied his bag of deceptive tricks. Read Proverbs 7:6-27 and see how the same path of destruction has been traveled by men/women for centuries, but in a variety of ever-new ways.
The appearance and feel of the shackles have changed, but they are just as strong. Just as constraining. Just as able to enslave. Our respect for the power of Satan and sin can never diminish until the final battle has been won.
Under-valuing the power of grace – This misjudgment of worth is perhaps our most damning. The expanse of God’s grace is beyond our ability to see. In saying that, some will always be tempted to add the “but.. . .” Grace has no “but. . .” Paul alludes to the abundance of grace in Romans 5:20-21.
I have questioned the boundaries of God’s grace at times in my own life, and learned that my judgments are fueled by legalistic fervor. . . which oddly enough brings me death, not grace. I believe that somewhere out there, grace may have a boundary, but it is defined by my lack of faith, not God’s limits of compassion. Growing to understand the infinite grace of God does not drive one to greater sin, but humbler service. Perhaps no greater illustration of grace’s value can be found than that exhibited in the life of a 1st Century terrorist (see 1 Timothy 1:12-17).
Your thoughts? They are worth more than a penny to me.
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