If it's difficult to set a value on human life, how much more difficult
is it to set a price on part of a human life? Well, not to be put off by
difficulty, American insurance companies have tried.
For example,
one company figured the premiums for a young woman who made a living
judging perfumes. She was allowed to insure her nose for $50,000. Jan
Kubelik, the great violinist, had the fingers of his left hand insured
for $250,000, and Paderewski, the great pianist, had his fingers
underwritten for $10 million.
How much are you worth? I guess it
depends on who gives the answer. Ask the terrorist who is filled with
hatred. He will gladly tell you, "You are worth more to me dead than
alive." He reasons, if you die, all your friends and fellow citizens
will quiver and quake with fear. If you die, the media will focus on his
cause and give it free publicity. If you die, money from hidden sources
will become available for his organization. If you die, firebrands and
ne'er-do-wells will flock to his gang in search of glory. To the
terrorist, you are worth less than nothing.
How much are you
worth? To the government, your value is a series of formulas on a
spreadsheet. To the politician, your value is a vote to be tabulated. To
your employer, your value is weighed by what you give versus what you
cost. To the advertiser, your value is computed by your spending power.
To the credit card company, your value is how much debt you can incur
without disaster.
So, what are you worth? Hearing that question,
most of us end up saying, "not very much." That's because life has hurt
us; people have walked on us, and their words have injured us. It's easy
to feel neglected, unrecognized, under-appreciated and un-applauded.
Then, if we look in ourselves and see the sins that are harbored in our
hearts, we really can be depressed.
In contrast to all this
negative input, we have the thoughts of the Lord.
The Lord who
formed and created us, who knows us better than anyone else, assures us
of His love which has been personified in His Son, our Lord, Jesus
Christ. Jesus is the physical proof that our Lord doesn't love us only
with words. No, He shows us His love in the Person of His Son. Jesus was
sent to bear our sins and carry our sorrows. Because of the Savior's
supreme sacrifice, the Lord offers us the assurance we need not be
afraid. Indeed, we can be at peace for He has called us by name, and
through the Savior's work, we belong to Him.
So there, my
friends, you should have your answer.
If you don't, take another
look. On one side of the scale is placed all the negatives and nastiness
the world and Satan can muster. On the other side of the scale is placed
the rescue that has been won for us by the Redeemer.
What are you
worth?
Look to the Bethlehem manger, Calvary's cross, and the
Garden's empty tomb and you will see God's answer. It is an answer which
outweighs all others combined.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give
thanks You have the capacity to love the unlovable and decided to rescue
that which was worthless. Now I ask that You will grant me the grace to
live as the valuable, blood-bought person You have made me through
Jesus. It is in His Name I pray. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
