The Hierarchy of Values
For the longest time, gold has been the standard for valuing currency.
Based on this standard, the Pound Sterling (otherwise known as the British Pound) has become the oldest and one of the highest valued currencies in the world today. This is why the British Pound currently stands as the basis for the value of other currencies such as the Euro, U.S. Dollar, and the Japanese Yen.
This reality brings us two important points:
1) Values are always based on a standard.
2) Values have a hierarchy. Certain things are of higher value than others.
Questions Jesus Asks
In last week's blog, we saw how Jesus revealed the Six Universal Values of Mankind in Matthew 6:
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (v. 24)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” (v. 25)
If you take notice of the verse above, Jesus poses us with questions. Not hard questions. In fact, he’s already hinting what the right answers are. All we need to do is to answer his main question: “Which one is more important to me?” Which one will I choose to have a higher priority in my life?
Because according to Jesus, God is more valuable than money, life more valuable than food, and our bodies more valuable than clothes. This is Jesus’ hierarchy of values:
1 . God – God is more valuable than life.
2. Life – Life, or that which has breath (i.e. relationships).
3 . Body – Our health, safety and security.
4. Money – Our finances and its instruments.
5 . Food – What we enjoy; the things that comfort and fulfill us.
6 . Clothes – Clothes have value, but are the least important.
Perhaps the most ironic thing about this is, deep within us, we already know what the hierarchy of values is… and yet our lives reflect otherwise. We see this “tension” play out in people’s lives: A man knows that what he’s doing is morally wrong and a sin in God’s eyes, yet because the monetary gain is so big, he justifies doing it. A mother’s relationship (life) with her children suffer because she spends so much time worrying about money, provision, and food instead of spending time with her family.
True Values Rise to the Top
Interestingly, whether or not we agree with Jesus’ hierarchy of values, we find that the higher values have a way of naturally surfacing to the top.
Those of us who are old enough remember exactly where we were the moment we heard of the US terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Shocked and puzzled, we asked, “Who would do such a thing?” Angry at the perpetrators, we watched the news, perplexed and confused at what has happened to our world.
In January of the following year, I visited New York and made my way to Ground Zero. My friends who brought me there told me of their own experiences as the drama unfolded. Their stories revealed to me that everyone’s values shifted dramatically that day. They described a city in shock, chaos, and confusion.
In the weeks that followed 9/11, stock trading slowed down as people pondered, “Where was God?"
“The Food Network”, sitcoms and David Letterman gave way to 24-hour news updates as frenzied viewers searched for bodies. Relationships and the safety of their loved ones became more precious.
The New York Stock Exchange did not open and remained closed up to September 17, the longest shutdown in history since 1933. In effect, the markets for stocks, bonds and money took a backseat for several days.
Shopping slumped; it was clear to everybody that fashion was the least of their priorities.
When a crisis hits, what is truly valuable surfaces to the top. Everything else becomes background noise.
We can spend days arguing about Maslow’s and Freud’s ideas of what is most valuable on earth. But Jesus’ wise words reveal that, when push comes to shove, God, life and body are what people really care for, while economics, enjoyment, and the latest trends drop down to the bottom rung.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Are these values always in this particular order?
My answer is yes and no. You can catch my explanation…next, next week. Stay tuned.
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