What is the value of a coin?
A car?
A house?
A person?
A human soul?
The term ‘value’ has many connotations. What is valuable to one person may not be to another. A coin might be added to a beggar’s pocket to buy a cup of hot coffee, but it will be walked over in a parking lot by most others. Simply owning a working car means the world to a single mom, but that same car would embarrass a car buff unless it’s waxed and in perfect condition. And a house – just look around! A man’s home is truly his castle. Some will be content in a shack as long as it is warm and dry. Others seek fine architecture, stonework, and landscaping before they will be content.
What is the value of a person? Some value a person only for what that person can do for them. Others value their creativity. Some are valued for their money or their generosity with it. Some for their skill, and others for their wit. And the list goes on.
And what is the value of that person’s soul? Some don’t consider that a soul exists, not thinking one thought about what happens after death, only living for today. Others think the soul moves into a new life form, maybe as a dog! In modern culture, most people are only seen for who they are and what they do today or for what they can offer tomorrow. Even as Christians, it’s easy to fall into that same pattern. In our busy lives, it’s easy to forget about eternity, especially that of our neighbor, the cashier, or even our friends or family.
Lately, I’ve been pondering value. What do I value, and how does it compare with what God values? What is the value or worth of a person and how does that value affect their future and their soul?
I’ve come to realize that I am more motivated to excel in life when I am valued by others. I am more motivated to help others when I know they value me. Isn’t this true for you? (Caveat: This could get complicated – I’m not saying that we only need to excel and help when we feel valued – that would be conditional.) But consider the reverse. When others feel valued, they may be more motivated to excel in life and help others. Now I’m not suggesting that we manipulate others to get results! Only that we consider the benefit to others when we value them. And get this – the ultimate picture of this is seen in how God values us!
My true value is found in God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice for me. He gave the perfect example of proving our value when he sacrificed unto death to give us new life. Only God knows the absolute value of each and every one of us. And as we discover God, we discover our value. As we learn that He created us in His image, we see our value. As we hear of His gift of perfection through His Son, Jesus, we find our value. God values us so much that He even offers us a second chance when we ignore His perfection. All we need to do is ask.
Isn’t value what we live for, ultimately? And if we really think about it, isn’t gratefulness for God’s value for us why we obey His Word? We feel the innate value of our worth because of His greatness and His great sacrifice for us. I’m taking much time to ponder what this kind of value looks and feels like. I believe it’s missing in the world and in many Christian homes today. We’ve forgotten to see the value God has for us, and instead, we spend our lives looking for it in the world’s tools and treasures.
I’ll continue my musings and how we can live out valuing one another in my next post, A Quintessential View of Value.
“Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the LORD, and may He deliver me from all distress.” 1 Samuel 26:24
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