Value

<<worth>>

The value God places on us is the life of His own precious son Jesus, who died bearing our sin so that we might become children of God and enter heaven, He doesn’t want anyone to be ‘lost’ for, to Him, a Christian is a precious possession (Jn 1:12, 3:16; 1 Pet 1:18,19, 2:4,7; 2 Pet 3:9). As we allow the conscious realisation that ‘I am His loved child’ to impact our minds and hearts this will free us from feelings of worthlessness.

Jesus taught about the value of one lost sheep and a lost coin – there was as much rejoicing after what was lost, and searched for, was found as there was when a wayward son came to his senses and returned home (Mt 18:12-14; Lk 15:1-31). God knows when even a sparrow dies and we are infinitely

Do my actions and lifestyle indicate I share God’s view of me

more valuable than many sparrows for we are made in His image, loved and valued by Him so we don’t need things to make us feel significant and with the opportunity to live in heaven with Him forever if we prepare for it (Gen 1:26,27; Mt 10:29-31; Lk 12:16-21, 18:18-30). “I am wonderfully made, you have watched over my life from conception onwards,” said the Psalmist (Ps 139:14-16). God has good plans for us if we co-operate with Him (Jer 29:11).

The Bible asks, “What value is it if a person gains the whole world and loses their soul? Or what can they give in exchange for their soul?” (Mt 16:26). It is a wise person who gives up what they can’t keep in this life to gain what they can’t lose in the next.

Jesus illustrated the immense value of the Kingdom of God by talking of people giving up all they possessed to obtain it (Mt 13:44-46). Paul also expressed this view saying, “I consider everything a loss compared to knowing Christ” (Phil 3:7-9). Mary had a true understanding of the immense mercy and grace of God and was very appreciative that she had been forgiven much so she loved Jesus profusely (Lk 7:47).

Society puts more value on the outward appearance and material possessions as a sign of success and achievement, than the inner character qualities of the heart that God judges (1 Sam 16:7). A fail-safe test of what we value is to ask about our treasures for “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also” (Mt 6:19-22,33). The Bible speaks of the

Do I value my life enough to prepare for eternity?

“surpassing value” of knowing Christ rather than amassing unnecessary earthly possessions; our value is not what we have in our lives but rather who we have in our lives for a genuine, saving faith is of greater value than gold (Lk 12:15; Phil 3:8; Heb 10:34; 1 Pet 1:7).

Esau did not value his birthright choosing instead to sell this solemn right for a single meal, and later he could not reverse this decision (Heb 11:26, 4:16). A long-term perspective or approach is the only way to achieve worthwhile goals, although it requires discipline. Children mature as we teach them to consider long-term benefits over immediate gratification.