A PERSON’S TRUE WORTH
Ps. 119:111-112/Jn. 12:25-26/1 Pe. 2:21

In eternity five men sat down to talk. Their conversation centered on life and the things of this life. One said, "Millions of cars that drive along the road carry my name." Another said, "Three hundred and fifty oil paintings and three hundred and fifty etchings display my name."

"Great symphonies, concertos and sonatas," announced the third, "parade my name." "The most beautiful songs that the whole world sings are signed by me," said the fourth. "And I," boasted the fifth, "attained the achievement of the century. I discovered the richest continent on earth." The five men who spoke were Goodyear, Rembrandt, Mozart, Stephen Foster and Christopher Columbus. Interestingly, all five of these great men who have enriched the world have something in common. After having accomplished things that came to be worth millions, they themselves died without a single penny in their pockets.

Goodyear invented the tires that carry his name. Rembrandt was a master painter. Mozart composed classical music that has enchanted generations. Stephen Foster wrote sweet melodies that the whole world enjoys. Lastly, Christopher Columbus, visionary of unknown continents, discovered these American lands hundreds of years ago. However, none of them knew how to manage money. They died in poorhouses, asylums, or ramshackle rooms in great poverty.

Were these men's lives wasted? Certainly not. The true value of a person is not measured by what he or she obtains in this life. It is not measured by economic success, academic abilities, or by any material thing that may have given the person renown while in this life. A person's true worth consists of three specific elements: One, the good and wholesome example he or she gave while in life; two, the transcendent things that he or she left for future generations; and three, the personal relationship he or she had with the Creator. Needless to say, these elements have nothing to do with how much wealth they had or how much they knew.

It is good that we examine the things that we consider important in life with moral judgment and maturity. Do we think of money or pleasures? True worth does not consist in what this life can give us, but rather in what we can give to this life. This not only includes our fellow man, but future generations.

Jesus Christ is the excellent Counselor. No one has given anything of more value as He gave himself so we could have everlasting life. Let’s follow in the footsteps of the Master. Our true worth depends on how well we do so.

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We thank God for another secular radio station that will be broadcasting A MESSAGE TO THE CONSCIENCE on WUPR – AM Radio in Utuado, Puerto Rico. Please pray that God will touch the hearts and minds of all those who listen today.