2 Nov 2011

The Illusion of Value

Submitted by theshovel
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When I was a kid, I used to go exploring in the attic. One day, I found a box in the bottom of a trunk with some World War II stuff my dad brought back when the war ended, including a complete Nazi officer's uniform. As soon as I opened that box lid, I thought I had found a fortune. It was filled with German money. The bills I held in my hands had lots of zeros on them ... many of them around 10,000 Marks! I couldn't imagine my dad having overlooked such a stash. Didn't he know we were rich? But alas, I soon learned from my grandmother (whose ancestors had come from Germany) that in 1920's post-war Germany a wheel barrel load of the very bills I held might have bought a loaf of bread. It's called hyper-inflation, and it happens when a government keeps printing more and more paper money in the futile hope that it will help the economy. You know, something like what they've doing in the US for a while now. And that's a good part of the reason the value of gold has been rising so dramatically ... as well as why many people have been buying it up. After all, it is a much safer bet than a rapidly devaluing piece paper.

Do I think our economy is going to crash and burn like some predict? In view of the current economic situation, I don't see how it can keep from happening. But then again, from what I had learned back in the 70s, it seemed to have been hanging on the brink even then. Now, other than knowing that God can keep an economy afloat in spite of itself, there is a more fundamental aspect in play here. For as our currency has no substantial backing (such as gold or silver), it's value is established through perception. In other words, as long as a large enough percentage of the population assumes that a dollar has real value, it will accept that perceived value as a worthy trade. If not ... well, it's happened before. And even though gold or silver will far outlast the dollar, it's value is also linked to the perception of those who value it. For there have been times in the history of this world that men would trade an obscene perceived value in gold for a piece of bread.

My friends, I realize that you have to live in this world (as do I), and I do think it's a good idea to be prepared, if at all possible. However, even your best preparations could all fall flat. What I'd like you to consider is the nature of real value, for when it comes down to it, this world is all built upon illusion. How you stand or fall is connected to how you regard that which is true worth. And you know what? Your God is fully able to shatter the delicate glass of perceived value for each and every one of us so you might more clearly see that which is truly valuable. And I think you know who will be revealed: Christ, the one who is your real life!

Shovel Audio

Yes, of course there is a new good news audio prepared and uploaded for you! See, I knew you were going to ask. :) You can either listen online or download to your computer or to a mobile device (as it is an mp3 file). This week's audio is entitled Salvation Information (the knowledge that saves us?). I hope you get a listen. As usual, Adam and I would love to hear back from you as to what you thought of it.

Spoonful: 

Comments

I think that if the world survives the next 100 years someone will write a book about the “Rise and Fall of America”.

“I think that if the world survives the next 100 years someone will write a book about the “Rise and Fall of America”. LOL Truly, tho’. I think there are many books and articles out there already talking about the current ‘falling’ of America.  :( “Your God is fully able to shatter the delicate glass of perceived value for each and every one of us so you might more clearly see that which is truly valuable. And I think you know who will be revealed: Christ, the one who is your real life!” IS our Life.  :) A miraculous Life that is with God and hidden in Christ Jesus. Does that mean we are kinda like … ‘undercover’? LOL :)
theshovel's picture

Undercover, we are ... for the treasure is housed in unsuspecting containers. :)

Why does it seem like God purposefully places in charge people that are completely lacking in wisdom to organize a country and are intentionally seeking to destroy it for personal fleshly profit? America is now the prime example. But I'm a bit depressed at times about the smaller countries, too, like ours, that have been suffering for centuries. I don't go out protesting, because I've learned that it only serves to empower the very thing that I oppose. You know, like the law does. 

So instead of waiting for a change in circumstance on the basis of which I can feel free in the flesh, I just want satisfaction in the midst of the suffering, necessities and turmoil. But it oftentimes doesn't seem to come in the way that I expect for it come.

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Random Shovelquote: Principle-based life (view all shovelquotes)

How do we keep reading the words meant as freedom from law and from a life based upon the principles as found in the world as if they were promoting it?   source