Values

   How much are you worth? If you actually consider this question, what measurements would you use? Society has value systems, and culture plays a part in each one. If you consider Kingdom culture versus world culture, would you conclude world standards are far harsher than God’s?

   Has it occurred to you that world values may have an influence on the way you view God? Do you find yourself trying to prove to God how valuable you are? Perhaps, because of the way the world assesses worth, you feel as if you could never be of any to Him. But then, it gets down to what is measured.

   How God measures value and how the world measures it are different. After all, they value different things. If you don’t know the difference, or at least recognize there is one, you may find yourself on a hamster wheel trying to prove your worth.

   A catch phrase in the self-improvement and business world is “value add.” If you are going to be successful in life, you have to add value. There is an element of truth to this; however, how much value you add does not equate to your actual worth. As a matter of fact, if you reverse the thought process, you will be able to proverbially bring more to the table. If you understand God’s view of worth, you will be adding value to others without effort.

   Instead of trying to do things to prove your worth, you will be adding value to others because your desire to bless them. Simple, with no strings attached. You will be free from the snare of jumping through hoops in order to feel cherished. As long as you try to prove your worth, it will always be about you!

Your Actual Worth

   Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

   Try this on for size: look yourself in the mirror, and say, “I don’t have to prove my worth, God already did -Jesus died for me.” If you had no worth, Jesus would have never come to reconcile you unto God.  Our Father found great worth in you, which is why He came.

   Psalms 139:14-16 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written. The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

   Before you were born, God greatly valued you. Maybe think of it this way, first He made you, then He purchased you with His Only Begotten Son Who has infinite value. You were and are that precious in His sight. How could you possibly add more worth?

How Do You Value Others?

   Do you find worth in others? Who do you consider a valuable person? Is it based on his or her performance? Do you look at people the way God does? Do you look through the optic of love, or is it one of works? Do you appreciate people for who they are, or is your appreciation based on what they can do for you? Are you repelled by those who don’t carry the same values or have the same lifestyle as you?

   Perhaps, we all need to reevaluate how we measure worth. Many are falling through the cracks of life and eternity, because we are not properly assessing their value.

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