What God Treasures

It is foolish to fail to think soberly about what really matters. Our secular world focuses on misguided values and attributes while failing to see that God’s viewpoint is so different from theirs. Far too many Christians suffer from low self-esteem simply because we have embraced a secular view of how we measure ourselves. The worldly view of importance is determined by the job we have, our educational attainments, how we look in the mirror measured by Hollywood’s standard of beauty, and by the awards and honors we have received.

The proper view of beauty and outward appearance. If our value is determined by how beautiful or handsome we appear as we look in the mirror, we may all be in trouble. Answering one question can help us see that outward appearance does not show our value. How handsome was Jesus? “And when we see Him, He has no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2). His worth, and more importantly ours, is not determined by beauty.

The proper view of the kind of work we do and where we are employed. Our world says that the closer we are to making minimum wage the less important we are. How true is this? When Jesus came, what kind of job did He do? He was a laborer, a carpenter like His father. His worth, and more importantly yours, is not determined by the place you work.

The proper view of your bank account. When God sent His Son into the world, how rich was He? If wealth really matters, then surely God would allow the King of the world to be wealthy. Those wise men from the east sought to find the new king in Herod’s place—they were not that wise. Ignorant shepherds found Him with Divine guidance. “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). How wealthy was He in His adult life? “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20).

The proper view of education. The same question shows one’s worth is not determined by the degrees he has earned. The educated men of His day said of Jesus, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied” (John 7:15)? Our level of education does not determine our worth.

What are you worth? Let God answer the question for He alone knows what really matters. You matter—just ask God! “Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (James 2:5)? Just love God with all your heart and let Him determine what you are really worth!                      ~Dan Jenkins