Finding What's Truly Priceless
A commentary by Mike Bennett
United Church of God editorial content manager
 The
cover of Time's April 6th edition proclaims: "The
End of Excess: Why This Crisis Is Good for America."
Author Kurt Andersen boils it all down to a story: "You know
the story of the ant and the grasshopper? The ant is disciplined, the
grasshopper parties as if the good times will last forever—and
then winter descends… It's time to ratchet back our wild
and crazy grasshopper side and get in touch with our inner ant."
It's a wonderful thought, if only everyone would take it seriously!
What I saw at the zoo
Having visited the insect house at the Cincinnati Zoo last Sunday—and
having recently watched the classic Pixar movie A Bug's Life—the
above analogy was quite meaningful to me!
The leaf cutter ants we saw at the zoo were very animated! All were
working hard, with no conspicuous consumption, except maybe the queen,
but I didn't see her.
Now grasshoppers probably are getting a bad rap, but their human counterparts
addicted to excessive and extravagant lifestyles are clearly not popular
right now.
If we could, we'd all probably claw back the money drained from
the economy by Wall Street shysters and the bonuses for AIG executives.
And if The Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo
stop having champagne birthday parties for their dogs, that's
got to be a good thing also!
Flaunting luxury goods and bling seems so wasteful in the current economy.
We can hope that our materialistic world of "greed is good" will
truly be left behind.
What do we value?
According to a Newsweek article, on eBay we could buy:
- "Strands of hair, allegedly from the head of Saint Therese
of Lisieux," with bids starting at $40.
- "What looks like a fragment of a bone supposedly from Saint
Philomena, a 13-year-old Christian girl who, according to legend,
was flogged, drowned and finally beheaded for her refusal to marry
the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Bidding started at $49.99" (Lisa
Miller, "4 Sale: Bones of the Saints," Feb. 11, 2008).
Then there was "the friendly atheist" who sold his soul
on eBay! Hemant Mehta, as a 22-year-old university graduate, offered
the highest bidder the "chance to send him to any church, synagogue,
or temple" to listen with an open mind (Jeff Watson, "He
Sold His Soul on eBay," The Erickson Tribune, August
2008).
Hemant Mehta chronicled his adventures in his book I Sold My Soul
on eBay. Perhaps that title is a perfect metaphor for the crass
materialism still programmed into modern minds.
Because, we use "priceless" as a marketing message in
our world of cradle to grave materialism we are accustomed to everything
having a price. Yet one credit card commercial still asserts that some
things are priceless—which is true.
The most priceless gift
Jesus Christ described the core of His message in Matthew 13:45-46
as a pearl of great price. But what He did for us as His final
act of love is also priceless.
This is the time of year when Christians commemorate Jesus Christ's
crucifixion. Yet, even this most sacred sacrifice highlights the conflict
between materialism and true spiritual values.
In the Gospel accounts there was the traitor Judas Iscariot. He not
only stole from the moneybag he carried for Christ, but he also betrayed
his Master for just 30 pieces of silver.
But then there was Mary who anointed Jesus with precious ointment,
perhaps worth a year's wages for a working person! Yet Jesus did
not rebuke her, as the disciples (led by Judas) did. In fact Jesus praised
her for valuing the spiritual above the material. (See "A
Right Example Heard Around the World.")
Then there was Jesus Himself, who paid the ultimate price and gave
the priceless gift of His own life—that we might live
forever! For the One "through whom are all things, and through
whom we live" (1 Corinthians 8:6) to be willing to die for our
redemption, that truly is a pearl of inestimable value!
A night of remembrance
On Tuesday night, April 7, all members of the United Church of God
will commemorate the New Testament Passover in memory of Jesus Christ's
sacrifice for us according to the scriptural instructions.
 To fully understand why this commemorative Passover service is so important
to all faithful Christians, read online, download or request your own
copy of our free and priceless book, Jesus
Christ: The Real Story.
Related Resources
What
Was the Purpose of Christ's Death?
Millions of Christians believe that Jesus Christ died for them. But do they
really know why? Why was Jesus' death really necessary? And what are the implications
for how you conduct your life today?
Jesus
Christ's Resurrection: Leading the Way for Others
Why is it that modern Christianity consistently portrays Jesus Christ
as dead on the cross? Could it be that many really don't grasp the importance
of His resurrection and what it means for every one of us?
What
Does It Mean to Believe in Jesus?
Many claim to believe in Jesus Christ, but according to the Bible they
really don't. How can you know that your belief is genuine? Are you
willing to put yourself to this scriptural test so you'll know for sure?
Why Should Christians Keep the Passover?
Do you really know why Jesus had to suffer and die? What should the Passover
mean for Christians today?
God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind
Is it possible to know what the future holds for us? The Creator of
mankind does have a plan for us, and He reveals it to us through an
annual cycle of festivals described in the Scriptures. It is an astounding
plan offering an incredible future to every man, woman, and child who
has ever lived. This booklet will help you understand the incredible
truth about what lies ahead for all humanity.
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