Let the Expert Determine Your Value

Several years ago there appeared an article entitled “10 Underestimated Items that Turned Out to Be Worth a Fortune.”

Among the ten items was a postcard-sized painting in a giltwood frame. A UK man named Robin Darvell purchased a “grab bag” for $46. It contained the little painting as well as other assorted items. Darvell left the painting in a desk drawer for years and finally gave it to his son. Darvell, Jr. had the painting examined by art experts. The experts discovered it was the work of the 18th Century artist John Constable. Its estimated value: $390,000.

Pope’s Cabinet

Another underestimated item was a Baroque-looking cabinet that sat for years between the Men’s and Ladies’ Rooms in a Yorkshire, England pizza parlor. Its owner finally brought it to Sotheby’s where it was immediately recognized as a 17th Century work which had been a gift from Pope Clement IX to Danish royalty. Sotheby’s sold the cabinet for $1.6 million.

Mazarin Chest

In 1970 a French engineer who worked for Shell Petroleum purchased a large ornate chest for $170. He placed it in his Kensington apartment and used it as a TV stand. Then, following retirement, he moved it to his home in France and used it to store liquor. On a fateful day he subjected the chest to an official examination. And the experts determined it to be the long-lost Mazarin Chest, a 17th Century Japanese lacquer box inlaid with gold. He also learned that the Mazarin’s “little sister” was the prized possession of the Albert and Victoria Museum. This “big sister”—the former TV stand—was auctioned off for $9.5 million.

Chinese Bowl

A New York family picked up a plain white bowl in a garage sale for three dollars. The bowl was nondescript but had a strange look about it. But before using it as a dog dish, the family brought the bowl to an antiques expert. He determined that the three-dollar dog dish was over 1,000 years old. Further investigation revealed that it dated from the “Northern Song Dynasty, which ruled China from 960 to 1127 and is known for its cultural and artistic advances” (Oddee). A London antiquities dealer finally purchased the bowl for $2.2 million.

“Junk” vs People

A grab bag item turned out to be a masterpiece. A priceless Baroque cabinet used to store rolls of toilet tissue. A $9.5 million Japanese chest used as a TV stand. A 1,000-year-old treasure that almost became a dog’s dish. And a 2,300-year-old gold Persian cup that a boy once used as a target for his BB-gun. What do these treasures—and many others like them—have in common? They were all tragically undervalued. Only the experts understood their true worth and treated them properly. It was ignorant bargain hunters who treated them like ordinary junk and used them for abysmal purposes.

So it is with human beings. Only the Supreme Expert—the all-wise God who designed us to perfection—understands and appreciates our significance and value. All others may ridicule and abuse us. We will often be the butt of this world’s humor. And if we look to this world for approval and acceptance, we will be profoundly disappointed.

Turn to God

This is why we must always turn to our Heavenly Father to get His opinion of us and our accurate appraisal. Somehow God valued us so much that He gave His One and only Son, Jesus Christ to suffer His unquenchable wrath and terrible judgments on our behalf. God did this so that He might lavish His love on us (Rom. 5:3–9; 1 John 3:1–2).

Flee into God’s loving arms. Fall into His warm embrace. He has loved you from all eternity. Your Heavenly Father took extreme delight and joy in planning your life and fashioning you in the womb (Ps. 139:13–18). He continues to take delight in caring for you and providing for your needs (Matt. 6:25–33).

God yearns for the day when He can share the joys of heaven with you for all eternity.

Don’t take the insults of others to heart. They don’t know what they’re talking about. God’s opinion and assessment of you is all that matters.

PRAYER:

Dear Father in heaven, into Your loving and capable hands I commit myself and all my days. Dear Father, You have loved me from the days of eternity. And even though I’ve been damaged by sin, You’ve provided for my eternal redemption through Your Son Jesus Christ. Please draw me nearer to Your heart, O God, and let me comprehend and experience Your love. Amen.