What is Your Value?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
You are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Jesus died for you (John 1:29; 3:16; Heb. 2:9). These facts prove that you have intrinsic value.
Sometimes, we may feel inadequate and not very important. Many in our world struggle with self-esteem issues and do not see themselves as being valuable. In the eyes of your Creator, you are so valuable that He sent His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for your sins and mine (Rom. 5:6-8).
In this article, we want to ask and answer the question: What is your value?
The Text.
Our text today comes from Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV):
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Observations from the Text.
From this passage, we want to notice several important phrases, questions, and examples.
First, note the phrase “do not worry.” It is found three times. Jesus says, “Do not worry about…your life (vs. 25), what you will eat, drink, or wear (vs. 31), or tomorrow (vs. 34).
Second, notice five questions Jesus asks:
“Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (vs. 25)
“Are you not of more value than they?” (vs. 26)
“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (vs. 27)
“So why do you worry about clothing?” (vs. 28)
“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (vs. 30)
Examples from the Text.
Second, note the examples Jesus gives.
The Birds.
First, He uses the example of the birds. The birds “neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns” and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. God knows about the birds’ needs and provides for them. Jesus’ question points us to the fact that we as human beings, made in the image of God, are more valuable than the birds of the air (Gen. 1:26). God takes care of them; will He not provide for us? Of course, He will!
The Flowers.
Next, Jesus uses the example of the lilies of the field. The lilies grow and are “arrayed” or “dressed” by God. Jesus says that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like even one of these lilies! God clothes the grass of the field; will He not clothe us? Of course, He will!
The Point of the Text.
Third and finally, note that Jesus explains our value in thinking spiritually and trusting God to provide for us. The Father in Heaven knows what the birds need and what the lilies of the field need. He is aware and able to provide for them.
Jesus says that we are to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto us” (Matt. 6:33). The word “but” is important because it shows a contrast. The “Gentiles,” meaning those who are worldly and materialistically minded, seek “all these things,” BUT you seek first the Kingdom…”
Children of God are to have a different thought process, purpose, behavior, and focus. The point is that we need to focus on the spiritual things knowing that God will provide for the physical things that we stress about.
By putting first things first, we show our dependence on God and our trust in God to provide. “All these things” refers to the necessities of life (vs. 32-33). God knows our needs and will provide. Why? Because we are valuable to Him!
You are important to God.
You have a soul that will exist somewhere for eternity. Jesus gave His life for you which makes you extremely important. Never doubt or question your value in the sight of God.
He has made it abundantly clear that He loves you, will provide for you, and wants you be saved eternally. If you are willing to meet His conditions and obey Him, an eternal home with Him is possible (Matt. 7:13-14, 21; Heb. 5:8-9)!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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Amen, Amen!