Happy and Blessed - Pt. 6

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! (Psalm 119:33-40 ESV).

 

As a result of high demand for medical services in this age of a global pandemic, some “elective surgeries” were canceled in favor of the treatment needs of those who were in greater need. I read of some who were also being forced to make a decision between those who were more likely to survive with treatment than others. It was an example of trying to determine what a person is “worth.” In most societies of the world, worth is determined by wealth. But if we take away the dollar signs, what something is worth becomes a very different question. Is something valuable because it is useful; or is it because of its ability to bring pleasure or prestige; or perhaps because it has some other intrinsic value?

 

While those things might play a part in the determination of value for some, the Scripture has a different checklist. The Bible gives us many insights into the real value of things. In our reading for today, the psalm writer prays, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things” (v. 35). I am always a little surprised at the worth we so often ascribe to things. I must confess that I have a few things I consider to be irreplaceable and therefore of high value. However, the longer I live the more I am able to understand all of these things are just that – things!

 

The truth of Scripture is that all our earthly possessions will prove to be worthless on the judgment day of Christ. In contrast, the Bible gives us the good news of complete forgiveness of sin and guaranteed eternal life. Can there be anything more valuable than that? The psalmist is telling us in our reading today that we need to carefully guard ourselves against the false value of the world. We need to be continually reminded to see value from God’s perspective, because worshiping wealth remains a powerful attraction. Jesus himself warned us, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Instead, he told us to store up treasures in heaven. Those treasures are in our relationship to others and the way we conduct ourselves with love and compassion toward them. That’s real value; and, that will bring us satisfaction and happiness.