My title for this devotion is Real Value vs Underestimated Value.
Several years ago by brother used to sing a song written by Tim Sheppard. It was based on the Scripture/Jesus’s words where He asked what can a man give in exchange for his soul. Some of the lyrics were: “What can a man give in exchange for his soul/Can you name a price to give for your life/Can you be bought or sold?” I’m afraid there are far too many who are selling their souls cheaply.
We seemed to have lost sight of the value of the human soul. We sell ourselves to the lowest bidder: alcohol, drugs, sex, laziness, gambling, etc. You name it. Sorta reminds me what Judas did to Jesus. 30 pieces of silver. In Zechariah 11:12, after having lovingly shepherded His people, God laments that all He was worth to them was 30 pieces of silver. The price of a slave. According to Ex.21:32 the exact price an owner was to be paid should their slave be accidentally killed was 30 pieces of silver. God didn’t take that slight kindly! He had Zechariah throw the money away!
Many years later God’s Son was also sold for 30 pieces of silver. Judas himself realized his folly and threw the money at the feet of the religious leaders declaring he had betrayed innocent blood. They used it to buy a cemetery.
Our world today is divided. We have those who totally devalue human life. They buy and sell people like they are cattle-often for less than 30 pieces of silver. We put down people-their jobs, the contributions-all to make ourselves look more valued. On the other end of the spectrum are those who tell people they can have their best life now; can have all the nice things in life; they deserve the best-all because they over-value the temporary and put more value on a man’s “place” than his soul.
My value is not in what I have. It’s not even in what you or others think of me. My value is found in Jesus. It’s what he thinks of me that is important. One word comes to mind: INVALUABLE.
“Father, may I see my true worth is found in You. It’s not dependent on my status, stature, or what others think. It is dependent on what You think.”
If only I valued myself and others as much as God does…
Perhaps the figurative “30 pieces of silver” wouldn’t look so enticing.
It is a common malady among all of us Ryan. Both ideas.
Thought provoking, Bill. I like Ryan’s “If only…”. It’s taken me 66 years of life to get to a place of truly knowing I’m adored by my Abba and adorned with His Goodness. That’s what the name of my blog means. I finally know my worth. Thank You, LORD!
You nailed that, Bill. If what you have defines you then you aren’t worth as much as you think.
My value is based on what and who God says I am…