The Value of a Man

Is a pro quarterback, movie star or hedge fund manager really worth 400 working men—or more? Do our society’s values reflect godly values? And should we really be measuring ourselves by money anyway?

Is Michael Vick worth $100 million? Is anybody really worth that much?

The details of Vick’s six-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles weren’t released, but the Associated Press says a “source familiar with the negotiations” reported it was worth $100 million. This would make him one of the highest-paid players in the National Football League with more than $16 million a year. That’s about 400 times what an average wage earner makes.

This is quite a comeback for Vick, who went to prison for 18 months for running a dogfighting ring. Before his conviction, he had commanded the highest salary in the league with a $130 million, 10-year deal in 2005.

Commentators like Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer argue that Vick is “fully rehabilitated. … He’s used his experiences to help others.”

Honestly, I haven’t kept up with Michael Vick enough to have an informed opinion of whether he is truly reformed. What struck me today was the reminder of how our society values our contributions. Is a very talented athlete really worth 400 times what the rest of us are?

What do we value?

Star professional athletes and entertainers routinely command seven- and eight-figure salaries. In the TV world, Simon Cowell is getting $75 million a season for The X Factor and Judy Sheindlin receives $45 million as Judge Judy. Further down the list in the $15 million range are Hugh Laurie (House), Ashton Kutcher (Two and a Half Men) and Ryan Seacrest (American Idol). In the movie world, you have to get down to No. 33 (Katherine Heigl and Shia LaBeouf) before you reach the $16 million level.

So obviously Americans value their mass media entertainment to a level never before seen in the world. But of course not everyone in the entertainment and sports world is making money. Those who rise to prominence in these cutthroat industries are dwarfed by the masses of starving actors and athletes. In sports and entertainment, it’s winner take all. And too often it is violence and sex that define the winners in today’s entertainment.

We definitely value winning. In fact, this is just as true in the business and financial world. Hedge fund managers leave the athletes and entertainers in the dust with their multibillion-dollar deals. For example, John Paulson was listed as the highest paid person on Wall Street since his hedge funds “posted $5 billion in returns in 2010.”

After the financial crises of recent years, it is harder to see the high-rolling “greed is good” philosophy as a real benefit to society. God is not against wealth, but He requires the highest level of integrity, humility and charitable giving (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19). And He has a much different perspective on our value.

How does God value us?

God owns everything in the universe, so it’s no wonder that He’s not impressed with our attempts to amass great numbers of dollars or euros or even large amounts of gold.

It’s not wise to compare ourselves, whether physically or spiritually, with other men (2 Corinthians 10:12). God says our comparison should be to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13). He had little in the way of money during His physical life, but what He did have was sterling character, a heart of gold and access to the source of all power and wealth. And He was willing to give up everything He had to share it all!

The point in comparing ourselves to Christ is not that we will even show up on the scales. If the nations are a drop in the bucket (Isaiah 40:15), what am I? But when we compare ourselves with Jesus Christ, we more clearly see that we need to turn ourselves completely over to Him and give 100-percent effort to becoming like Him.

We may never come close to $16 million a year in this life. But pursuing first God’s true values brings priceless rewards now in real joy, satisfaction and peace of mind. And God promises unimaginable wealth, power and happiness to those who learn now never to misuse it.

Read more about the true values and how to become more like Jesus Christ in these related links:

• How Does Jesus Christ Live in Us?
• The Toughest Challenge.
• Love—Only a Word?
• Do We Work Too Much?
• Pearls Before Breakfast.

Mike Bennett coordinates the blogs for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.