In 1 Peter 2:4 the Lord Jesus is precious to God. In the seventh verse, we who believe find Him precious also. We value what God values. How precious is He to us? The preciousness of an object is derived from the value placed upon it.
Persons (Lev. 27:1-8)
Under the law of Moses, persons had various values according to their age and usefulness. You will notice that the female was valued less than the male. Perhaps it is because the male is representative of Christ and the female of ourselves. Surely He has more value than we!
The greatest value was placed on those between the ages of twenty and sixty. These were in active service. They could produce the most and were most valiant in battle.
Younger ones had a lesser value, but there was potential there for the future. Older ones, though they could not work as hard, had value too. They had experience. We see the same with the Levites. At the "age of fifty years they... shall serve no more: but shall minister with their brethren." Num. 8:25, 26.
The Apostle Paul's admonition in 2 Tim. 2:2 shows us how these age groups fit together at the present time. "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." There are young ones needing to be taught. There are experienced ones able to teach. It is so important that these teach those in the assembly who are younger and that the younger apply themselves to learn and practice the truth that has been held and practiced for many years.
As Paul was the aged apostle who gave this advice to a younger brother, it seems that this scripture ought to be a special concern to those who are older, not to dominate, but to encourage their younger brethren.
Things (Lev. 25:11-16)
How much value do we put upon things in this world? Soon, very soon, we are going to hear the shout that summons us home. Just as the value of an Israelite's field decreased near the year of jubilee, so the value of things in this world should be very little to us.
Certain things are necessary for our lives and Scripture tells us what they are: "having food and raiment, let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. 6:8. It is the desire for wealth, power or position that drowns men in destruction. How many have ruined their testimony and "pierced themselves through with many sorrows" because they lusted after things.
In a former day Jerusalem was about to be destroyed. Baruch had desires for himself in the city, but Jeremiah said to him, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not." Jer. 45:5. May we all realize in our own lives that "godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Tim. 6:6.