Sadly, because the world overvalues talent, beauty, money, and success, if we achieve none of these things, we are regarded as worthless. The world judges by appearance, possessions, and accomplishments, focusing upon pride, minimizing one's potential for spiritual growth and influence for where it is positively important. The apostle John warns us that the lust of the flesh, the lust of life, and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world, which will pass away, but he who does the will of God abides forever. God assures His chosen people, "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine." As representatives of God's special chosen people, He expects us to live His life, living the way He lives, to live with honor, acknowledging the special gift of life of integrity, a vastly higher standard so that people will see that special quality in us. Our spiritual development is analogous to the creation of a pearl. Just as the oyster coats an irritant with a mother of pearl, when we begin, we are an irritant in God's creation, displaying our carnal nature and our sins. We were gathered among the foolish, weak, base, and despised. But through a lifetime of sanctification, refinement , and character perfection, we are brought ever closer to Him through His righteousness . Though the world may not honor us now, the day is coming when Jesus Christ will return and then our God will reveal His church for what they are: glorious, a wonderful creation of our Great God; a priceless pearl, arrayed in radiant splendor, in the purity of His righteousness.