Winston Churchill teeth sold for $23,000

News from London this morning tells that a set of partials made for
the late Winston Churchill has sold at auction for over $23,000.
Churchill, of course, is well known.  His leadership in England during
World War II was crucial to that country's survival.  The dental
appliance just sold has been described as "the teeth that saved the
world".

Does anyone really believe the claim that it was the teeth that saved
the world?  There were actually three identical sets of these partials
made for the late prime minister; another set resides in a museum.
Even without teeth, however, Churchill's courageous leadership came
from his heart and mind, not from his teeth.  But because he has
become so legendary, something as common as these false teeth have
taken on value.

Not surprisingly there have been many relics associated with the life
of Jesus Christ that have been prized highly.  Several centuries ago
there were many who claimed to have pieces of wood from the cross on
which the Lord died.  Someone once speculated that there were enough
of these pieces to build a replica of Noah's ark!  According to
Wikipedia, at least 30 nails are on display in various places, nails
which are claimed to have been used in Jesus' crucifixion.  We
seriously doubt that 30 nails were used in that horrible execution.

Even if religious relics could be proved to be authentic - which they
almost never can be - what are they really worth?  Should we value the
articles used by Jesus (e.g. the "holy grail"), or His thoughts and
words which have been delivered to us through Holy Scripture?

Judges 6-8 gives us information about the heroic deeds of Gideon.
With just 300 men he was able to rout an army many times larger than
his own.  In appreciation for his leadership the people of Israel
donated gold jewelry.  That gold was used to make an ephod (probably
something like a vest that Gideon wore).  The sad outcome of that is
found in Judges 8:27: "... And all Israel played the harlot with it
there.  It became a snare to Gideon and to his house."

Perhaps this explains why there seem to be no authentic relics
associated with Jesus or other Bible characters.  Maybe God knew that
such things would become a snare, distracting us from what is truly
valuable.

What is "truly valuable"?  It's the message of salvation, of course.
Jesus pointed to the worth of the human soul in Matthew 16:26: "For
what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his
own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  All the
treasures of earth would not make a person happy if they woke up in
eternity in torment (see Luke 16:19-25).

Paul once wrote about a treasure he possessed: "But we have this
treasure in earthen vessels ..." (2 Corinthians 4:7).  What was that
treasure?  The two verses preceding this verse make it clear that Paul
was referring to the message of salvation, and the "earthen vessels"
are the people who bear it.  In God's sight the material things are
not the things that hold ultimate value.

I'd much rather possess the truth that saves my soul than dubious iron
nails or the teeth of a dead man.  Upon which of these do you place
more value?

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him
in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you'd like
to discuss these ideas further.

 

--Timothy D. Hall