Your Self-Worth
Do you ever feel worthless, perhaps even unloved? No one is and no one should feel they are.
If you ever feel no one ever gives me anything, rethink it. Whether it is yours is dependent upon you having received the gift.
A traveler overseas bought an amber necklace at a modest price. Coming back to the country, customs charged a high fee. His curiosity motivated him to have it appraised. Under a magnifying glass could be seen a tiny inscription “From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.” It was worth over $50,000 because of its association. You are valuable because of association with Christ.
My wife has an unpretentious pair of amber earrings. Their value is derived from them having been given to her by former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Their value is derived from the association with the fourth Prime Minister of Israel.
Association with Jesus gives you value, great value. Your inheritance is of inestimable value.
In the New Testament era pearls were considered the most highly prized ornament by Gentiles. They were more highly valued than diamonds. At a supper, Cleopatra demonstrated her affection for Mark Anthony by dissolving a pearl valued at $500,000 in vinegar and drinking it.
Her love was shown by what she gave to prove it. The love God the Father has for you was shown by what He gave to demonstrate it, His only begotten Son.
Your redemption results from the giving of His best, His life’s blood.
“You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (I Corinthians 6:20)
When we come to Jesus what is gained is worth far more than what we give up. To forsake all and follow Jesus does not always mean you have to abandon everything. It means you put Jesus in charge of everything. You give everything to Him and you become His manager known as a steward. At that point all of your assets become His resources and everything is at His disposal, for His use — including you, yourself.
When we forsake all and come to Christ He greatly over pays our outlay and gives us a fortune beside.
Another perspective of value comes from missionary Nate Saint, killed by the Auqua Indians in Central America, who had this entry in his diary: “One is no fool to give up what he can’t keep to gain what he can’t lose.”
Never allow yourself to have a feeling of worthlessness. Never consider that no one has ever given you anything of worth.
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (II Corinthians 10:12)
May your self-worth be elevated in light of these truths.