Television Values

May 23, 2011 By
Matilija Poppy. May, 2011.

What’s it Worth?

How much is your stuff worth? Lots of television programs address that question.

On Antiques Roadshow, hopeful folks drag their treasures to an auditorium, where experts determine the value of that old painting, vase, or childhood toy. Each episode features one item that’s appraised for some wondrous sum of money; usually at least one other item is determined to be near valueless, despite the hopeful owner’s visions of wealth.

On Pawn Stars, the play is more complex: People bring Uncle Harry’s rifle or grandma’s old chamber pot down to the pawn shop, hoping to leave with a wad of cash. The pawn shop staff, though, needs to pay a price that leaves room for profit when the item is resold. The conflict pits the seller’s desire for money against the staff’s negotiating skills.

American Pickers works the other way around: the show’s stars persuade people to let them rummage through the old barn or basement, seeking collectibles. Then they negotiate a price for the found treasures, hoping to buy at a point that will allow them to mark the items up for resale.  

Cash in the Attic takes a more cooperative approach. Mark and Sally decide they need, oh, say $3,000 for the family trip to DisneyWorld. An auction expert comes to their home and together they choose items to sell at auction, hoping to raise the needed sum. Tension develops as homeowners realize that they need to part with things they love if they want that picture of little Joey with Mickey.
The casual observer, or visitor from outer space, could easily conclude that we obsess over the value of our stuff and depend on other people to set that value. And I suppose when we’re talking about rusty old Radio Flyer wagons or sooty oil paintings, that’s okay.
But what are you worth? What am I worth? And where do we turn for an expert appraisal of ourselves? I’ve looked for the answer in all kinds of places over the course of my life. Report cards. Words of praise from my parents, or later, my spouse. Performance evaluations. A stranger’s admiring glance.
These days I’m less likely to wander down that worrisome path. I think of my bible as the Kelly Blue Book of human life. There, I learn that despite my flaws, my shortcomings, my failures–my humanity, the God of the universe, my Creator, counts me as treasure. He values me (and you!) so greatly that He ransomed us at an impossibly high price.

18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT)

Today I link with Laura Boggess at The Wellspring for her Playdates with God project. Please visit there!

Filed Under: 1 Peter 1, conflict, forgiveness, gifts, God's omnipotence, grace, sacrifice, salvation, treasure, wealth

Comments

  1. Duane Scott
    May 23, 2011 at 9:05 am

    “far above rubies”….

    I feel unworthy, yet I know better.

    Because Jesus reminds me… over and over and over…

    -DS

  2. David Rupert
    May 23, 2011 at 9:08 am

    It’s amazing what some of that stuff is worth that looks just like junk to me….

    And yes, I look like a terrible to wreck to many people. But God sees something.

  3. Sheila
    May 23, 2011 at 9:28 am

    I was musing against the disconnect in my own mind between my worth and my value as I drove to work today.

    Still thinking on it. Thanks for stopping by, Duane!

  4. Sheila
    May 23, 2011 at 9:29 am

    David,
    I hear you! And then there’s the stuff that looks valuable, but isn’t.

    Complicated, hmm?

  5. Milly Thomas
    May 23, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Great article, Sheila. We need to be reminded that the things we leave behind at the end of our life are not important.

  6. Sheila
    May 23, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Thanks, Milly!
    I read a great quote the other day….”The only thing we can take with us to Heaven is our children.”

  7. Laura
    May 23, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    I love this, Sheila: “I think of my bible as the Kelly Blue Book of human life. There, I learn that despite my flaws, my shortcomings, my failures–my humanity, the God of the universe, my Creator, counts me as treasure.” If only I would flip through the pages of that Blue Book every time I let the world set a value on me! I love what David says–looking like a wreck on the outside doesn’t change the way He sees us either. Beautiful!

  8. Sheila
    May 23, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Thanks, Laura!

    I may have the Kelly Blue Book on the brain, as we’ve been consumed for the past two weeks helping our boomerang kid find decent, cheap transportation…

    As Duane said, “far above rubies.” It can be hard to really live that, can’t it? I know I struggle with it.

  9. Amy
    May 23, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    What helpful analogies to drive home the Truth. I do need to be careful where I go for my appraisal. Reflecting on the 1 Peter scriptures you shared definitely provides the proper perspective on our worth.

  10. Sheila
    May 23, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Amy,
    Thank you for stopping by! I’m honored that you found something helpful.

  11. shrinkingthecamel.com
    May 24, 2011 at 3:06 am

    “The bible is the Kelly Blue Book of human life” – that’s a good one, Sheila!

  12. Sheila
    May 24, 2011 at 5:42 am

    Thanks, Brad!