For Faith Matters this term, we will look at some folk stories and explore how they link to matters of faith and our lives today.

The Value of a Life

One day a young boy asked his father, “what is the value of my life?”. Instead of answering, the father told his son, “take this rock and go sell it at the market. If anybody asks the price, raise two fingers and don’t say anything.” The boy went to the market and a woman asked, “How much is this rock? I want to put it in my garden.” The boy didn’t say anything but raised up his two fingers. “Two dollars?” the woman said, “I will take it!”

The boy went home and told his father, “a woman wants to buy this rock for two dollars. The father then said, “Son, I want you to take this rock to a museum, and if anybody wants to buy it, don’t say a word, just put up your two fingers.” The boy then went to the museum and a man showed up wanting to buy the rock. The boy didn’t say a word but put up two fingers. The man said “$2000? I will take it!”  

The boy was shocked, went running home and told his father, “A man wants to buy this rock for $2000!” His father then said, “Son, the last place I want you to take this rock is to a precious stone store, show it to the owner and don’t say a word, and if he asks the price, just raise up your two fingers.” The son then ran to a precious stone store and showed the rock to the owner. “Where did you find this stone? it is one of the rarest stones in the world, I must have it! How much would you sell it for?” said the owner. The boy put up his two fingers and the man said, “I will take it for $200,000”.

The boy, not knowing what to say, ran home to his father and told him that the owner wanted to buy the stone for $200,000. His father then asked, “Son, do you know the value of your life now?”

The Bible teaches us that all humanity was made in God’s own image. The value that we see in our own life and the life of those around us is determined by the perspective we have. Imagine if we saw the value in ourselves as God sees us. Imagine if we looked at those around as God sees them. Each one as unique and precious as the other. Each one fearfully and wonderfully made by our Loving Creator.

Matthew 25:40

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Isaac Williams
Assistant Chaplain – Wyvern House