Far More Valuable than Picasso

Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn calls it “the world’s clumsiest and goofiest thing to do.”

Wynn owns “Le Reve,” a valuable 1932 work of Picasso which he bought for more than US$48 million almost a decade ago. Last month, he accidentally poked a thumb-sized hole in the canvas with his elbow while he was showing it off to his rich and famous friends. Around 36 hours before the mishap, he just agreed to sell it for a whopping $139 million in exchange for another precious painting of Picasso. “The blood just drained out of their faces,” Wynn described his guests among whom was broadcaster Barbara Walters. “They did not know what to say. I just turned around and said, ‘Oh, my God. How could I have done this?’” It would cost him $85,000 to have it repaired so that the tear will not be visible.

Now the art world is talking about “diminution of value.” A member of International Society of Appraisers said, “A restored piece naturally is not worth full value. Usually when you have a unique, very expensive piece like this at this level, you value it for a percentage loss.” (Source: Yahoo! News)

God created us in His image. Sin tainted it. He paid dearly with the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to restore us. But God did not merely repair the damage. Instead, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV) Mind you, we are not a renovation. We are a new creation. Renewed, not repaired. It’s like Picasso, upon seeing his damaged Le Reve, deciding to paint another one instead of having it repaired. And there is no diminution of value or percentage loss. God by His grace restored us to our full value.

People need to hear this good news. That’s why My Hope Philippines will air an evangelistic Christmas special at QTV 11 on December 7, 8 (at 7PM) and 9 (9PM). They will also air the program at NBN 4 and other local regional stations on December 14, 15 and 16. Make this the most memorable Christmas for your friends and relatives. Please invite them to watch it with you and encourage them to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.

Brethren, our worth to God is far more valuable than all the works of Picasso combined.

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