Where Do We Place Our Worth?

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more
value than they?” (Mt. 6:26)

To say that we are persons created in God’s image is to say that we have
personal worth. We are worth more than any of the lower creatures. “Look at
the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet
your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Jesus asked. Man is greater than the birds; the birds do not sow, reap, or
gather. God provides for all. In light of this illustration, Jesus asks rhetorically:
“Are you not of more value than they?”

As equal bearers of the divine image, no person is worth any more or less
than another! Every human has a deep need for security, the confidence that
we are unconditionally loved and appreciated, and the belief that we matter,
that what we do counts for something good. Having been created in God’s
image, each of us has an equally full opportunity for security and significance.
We need to feed our minds not only on God’s love for us but also on his
love’s steadfastness. This does not mean God will not punish me if I persist in
sin. It does mean that God will never quit loving me — He will be there waiting
for me as long as life lasts.

But here is another thing: although each person has equal worth as a person,
each person is uniquely significant! Equality does not mean sameness. God
has created a wonderful blend of equality and uniqueness. No two people are
exactly alike. “Strengths” imply corresponding “weaknesses” — each person
has a unique combination of both. We never seem satisfied with what God
has given us — and we waste a great deal of time wishing for someone else’s
unique combination of qualities.

God cares equally and deeply about every detail of every person He has ever
created! Our value as persons is intrinsic — inherent in what we are:
creatures in God’s image. It will do us good to keep focused on what we are
worth as persons. The “internal gyroscope” of eternal worth as God’s creature
is vastly better than the ever–changing “social mirror” on which we sometimes
base our self–concept.

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of
more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)
– Kevin Goddu