Accurate Appraisal

by McGoo84 from www.sxc.hu

A Picasso painting just sold for 179 million dollars.²  This is the highest sell price of any painting.  The painting was painted in 1955.  It features nude courtesans and is in his signature cubist style.  It is not something I would even allow on my house walls but it sold for 179 million.

The Patriots were fined 1 million by the NFL and fans have started a crowdfunding web page offering them donations to pay the fine because they believe in their innocence.³  Currently almost $16,000 has been given to this effort.

These two examples show how people value all kinds of different things.  Our local congregaiton is sending a team to El Salvador and almost $19,000 was given for this effort in one Sunday contribution.  We are collecting clean water filters to take on the trip at $50 a piece and almost 100 have been purchased.

People value things differently.

It reminds me of the gospel story of Mary anointing the body of Jesus before his crucifixion.¹  When she used such a precious and costly ointment on his body, the disciples were indignant.  Judas appraised the value of it at 300 denarii, a year’s worth of work.  Judas was jealous and greedy desiring the money that he could have stolen.  The other disciples were shocked, upset, and appalled at such a waste.

But Jesus approves of Mary’s deed.  He says what she has done is a beautiful thing that will be told whereever the gospel is preached.

Disciples appraised the deed saying it wasn’t worth the cost.

Judas appraised the deed through eyes of greed wishing he had the money.

While Jesus, accurately appraised it as beautiful and worthy because it demonstrated love and honor to Jesus before his death.

The question for us is:  Do we accurately appraise things?

The world has all kinds of standards.  It says a Picasso painting is worth 179 million.  Jesus appraises things far differently.  He doesn’t mind extravagant spending or displays of crazy love, but it must be aimed at the right object and from the right motive.  We must fight selfishness, greed, and materialism.  We must appraise deeds, love, and actions.  Always realizing that many items are worth far more than dollars and cents.  Anointing Jesus for his burial was worth whatever it cost!

True joy, purpose, and happiness is not achieved by attaining what the world values, but rather by properly appraising the things in life that are valuable!

How is your appraisal skills?

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¹  Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:2-9

²  News Article on Topic

³ Gofundme Page for the Patriots