We
might not agree on the value of some things. Some people make minimum
wage while others make a pile of money. One shirt from a store costs a
few dollars and another costs $100 or more. There doesn’t seem to be a
reason for the differences.
The way something is made makes a difference in its value as does the rarity of the materials it is made of. A person with much experience or a great deal of education will have more value in the work they do than someone with little experience or no education. That seems to make a lot of sense.
You’ve heard this phrase before: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And another phrase: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In other words we are the ones that set the value of the items we hold and the people around us.
I intend to make one strong statement to share with each of you today. It is this: God is the one that determines value! God and no one else determines your value.
Matthew 6:20 NLT
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Our culture and times dictate that people are not a commodity to be bought and sold. Slavery doesn’t happen any more. Or does it? Look up ‘human trafficking’ and you will read about adults and children being sold as slaves in the sex industry or children working in the sweatshops of 3rd world countries. But the fact is those same things happen right in your town and mine.
We treat people based on the value we give them. Our church is passionate about helping broken people. That means people that are often rejected by most find their way to our church, and there we strive to offer forgiveness and share hope. Yet in the middle of sharing the hope that can only come from God I realize that often I devalue people. That fact hurts me deeply. God values people. I should value every person too.
On the other side of the proverbial coin is the fact that we often devalue ourselves. Maybe someone told you at some point that you are worthless or ugly. That is not true. Why believe it? Maybe you are wasting your time by not looking for work or settling for less than best. You were made by God and are loved by God. You have value. Look at the experience you have or the education you have achieved. That also gives you value.
As Christians we should strive to give our best, to share Christ and to be great at all we do. Be honest. Set goal and push for them. Build up people and give them value in the way you speak to and deal with all people.
Whether it’s the people around you or yourself, whether it’s your possessions or the world around you, give all of those the value that God created them to have!
Luke 18:22 NLT
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The way something is made makes a difference in its value as does the rarity of the materials it is made of. A person with much experience or a great deal of education will have more value in the work they do than someone with little experience or no education. That seems to make a lot of sense.
You’ve heard this phrase before: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And another phrase: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In other words we are the ones that set the value of the items we hold and the people around us.
I intend to make one strong statement to share with each of you today. It is this: God is the one that determines value! God and no one else determines your value.
Matthew 6:20 NLT
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Our culture and times dictate that people are not a commodity to be bought and sold. Slavery doesn’t happen any more. Or does it? Look up ‘human trafficking’ and you will read about adults and children being sold as slaves in the sex industry or children working in the sweatshops of 3rd world countries. But the fact is those same things happen right in your town and mine.
We treat people based on the value we give them. Our church is passionate about helping broken people. That means people that are often rejected by most find their way to our church, and there we strive to offer forgiveness and share hope. Yet in the middle of sharing the hope that can only come from God I realize that often I devalue people. That fact hurts me deeply. God values people. I should value every person too.
On the other side of the proverbial coin is the fact that we often devalue ourselves. Maybe someone told you at some point that you are worthless or ugly. That is not true. Why believe it? Maybe you are wasting your time by not looking for work or settling for less than best. You were made by God and are loved by God. You have value. Look at the experience you have or the education you have achieved. That also gives you value.
As Christians we should strive to give our best, to share Christ and to be great at all we do. Be honest. Set goal and push for them. Build up people and give them value in the way you speak to and deal with all people.
Whether it’s the people around you or yourself, whether it’s your possessions or the world around you, give all of those the value that God created them to have!
Luke 18:22 NLT
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
NOTE: this post was
first shared in October of 2013
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