By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Hebrews 11:24-26
Like many people, Rob Cutshaw is a rock hound. He spent countless hours on digs and hikes through the mountains looking for special stones. At one point he even operated a roadside stand near his home in North Carolina. In the 1960s Cutshaw found a large blue rock he called “purdy and big.” At one point he tried to sell it for $500 but found no takers. The rock spent the next two decades either under his bed or tucked away in a closet. When Cutshaw finally had the stone professionally appraised, it proved to be one of the largest sapphires ever found. The “Star of David” sapphire had a cut weight of more than 2,100 carats and was estimated to be worth nearly $3 million when it was put on display in 1987.
There are a lot of things in this world that people value very highly. But it is often the case that things which are truly valuable are seen as less interesting and appealing than things that are flashy but not really worth very much. None of the things of this world even begin to compare in value to the things of God. As Christians we have something far more important and valuable in our future. “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). Trends and fads in this world come and go. Things that were once highly sought after become afterthoughts and their value vanishes. But the things of God always hold their worth because they are based on His character.
