Our Human Value
By Susan Klein
“Consider the ravens: they do not sow nor reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
Luke 12:24
According to the Indiana University School of Medicine, the human body, when broken down into its basic elements and minerals, is only worth about $4.50. However, when broken down into fluids, germ-fighting abilities and tissues, it goes up in value to over $45 million! (These figures are based on cost-estimates from hospitals and insurance companies.) Bone marrow can fetch up to $23 million, DNA--$9.1 million, a kidney--$91,000, a heart--$57,000...the list goes on!By Susan Klein
“Consider the ravens: they do not sow nor reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
Luke 12:24
So, does that mean the healthier you are, the more you’re worth? Or, perhaps the older you get, the more your value decreases? By these estimates, this would seem to be the case. Doesn’t our society value young people who are healthy and productive more so than elderly or disabled people who may be less productive and more financially taxing on our economy? Professional athletes, movie stars, and models draw exorbitant salaries compared to teachers, nurses and plumbers. Why? Are they somehow worth more? That seems to be the message we are hearing from our world and culture today.
God’s Word gives us a much different message. He values all of mankind. God values mankind so much that He created both male and female in His own image, and He blessed them. God values us before we are even born in that He personally knit us together in our mother’s womb and He ordained each one of our days on this earth before they even came into being. God values the aged. We see this in His allowing Simeon and Anna the privilege of seeing the Christ child before they died, and Sarah to conceive at her very old age. He values the orphans and the widows, instructing His people to care for such as these. He values the poor and the needy, telling us that whatever we do for these people, we have done for Him. He even values the dead, as we see when Jesus brings Lazarus back to life. He also values the lost sinner, not desiring that anyone should perish.
With all our faults, weaknesses and imperfections, we’re probably not worth much more than a few bucks by the world’s standards. But I am oh so thankful that we are of great value in our heavenly Father’s eyes!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What worldly teachings may be causing you to struggle with feeling valuable? What will you do with those feelings in light of God’s truth about your value?
2. Are there any people that you have thought to be “less than valuable,” that you may need to reconsider in light of God’s Word?
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 10:29-31; 2 Peter 3:9; James 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16
Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.
