INTRODUCTION
I once read of a guy who approached God and asked, "What is the value of life?" God wisely gave him one stone and instructed him to "find out the value of this stone, but don't sell it." He went to an orange vendor with the stone. "You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone," the orange vendor remarked after noticing the glossy stone. The man expressed regret and claimed that God had commanded him not to sell it. He proceeded to locate a vendor of vegetables. He questioned the vegetable vendor, "What could be the value of this stone?" "Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone," the vendor remarked after noticing the glossy stone. The man said he couldn't sell it while apologizing once more. He went into a jewelry store later and inquired about the stone's worth. "I'll give you $20,000 dollars for this stone," the jeweler declared after examining the stone through a microscope. "All right, all right, take $50,000 and give me the stone," the jeweler responded as the man shook his head. The man clarified that he is unable to sell the stone.
The man observed a store selling valuable stones further ahead and inquired about the stone's worth. The vendor of valuable stones set down a scarlet cloth and placed the large ruby on it when he saw it. After that, he circled the gem, knelt down, and touched his head in front of it. "From where did you bring this priceless ruby from?" asked the man. "Even if I were to give everything, including my life, I would still be unable to buy this precious stone." The guy went back to God and informed him what had transpired, stunned and perplexed. "Now tell me, God, what life is worth." "The value of our life is explained by the answers you received from the orange, vegetable, jewelry, and precious stone vendors," God declared.
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People will judge you according to their degree of knowledge, their confidence in you, and how willing they are to take risks.
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Understanding who you are and how the Lord values you is essential to achieving true fulfillment and pleasure.
Are you intimidated by celebrities, business titans, politicians, and the like? Do you think they are the most valuable people on the planet and are envious of them? They use titles like Chief, His Excellency, Honourables, and so on. Some people have their own bodyguards! Everything as a result of how highly people regard them. What honor are some of them truly entitled to?
DEFINITIONS
Values are core convictions that guide your behavior and mindset. You can identify what matters most to you by being aware of your personal values.
Life can be defined as a characteristic that distinguishes physical entities that have biological processes, such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Life is defined as a process that takes place in highly organized organic structures and is characterized by being preprogrammed, interactive, adaptative and evolutionary. Life is also a self-sufficient chemical system far from equilibrium, capable of processing, transforming and accumulating information acquired from the environment.
The value of life is a multifaceted concept, encompassing philosophical, personal, and economic dimensions, representing inherent worth, the meaning individuals find through experiences and purpose, and the monetary value society places on preventing fatalities for policymaking. It is also referred to as the cost of life, what is given to prevent an occurrence.
Many religious traditions consider life to be sacred and believe that it has intrinsic value because it is a gift from a higher power. These beliefs often underpin moral and ethical frameworks that guide individuals on how to live a meaningful and valuable life.
What gives life value is often a deeply individual and complex question that each person must grapple with in their own way.
GOD'S CONCEPT OF MAN
The concept of man in relation to God, especially in Abrahamic faith, centres on humanity being created in God's image (imago dei), meaning humans reflect divine qualities like reason, morality, and the capacity for relationship, possessing inherent value, purpose (dominion over creation), and a spiritual essence allowing connection with the Creator, distinct from animals, with destiny tied to serving God and expressing His nature.
(Gen. 1:26-27). And God said, "let us make man in our image."
DEVALUING OF HUMAN LIFE
Of the estimated 211 million children that are conceived around the world every year, 56 million of them lose their lives to abortion. This is more than the global death rate from all causes, including disease, starvation, war, murder, accidents, old age, and more. It's more than the population of Kenya, South Korea, or Spain. It's even more than the population of the Netherlands, Australia, and Greece combined. Global abortion ends the lives of people at a rate of almost two per second (Life International, Michigan).
The scale of violence and destruction in Gaza is difficult to fathom; the sheer existential terror the civilian population experiences is unspeakable. First the shockingly high daily death toll on account of the military campaign, now the unfolding famine which affects children and the more frail disproportionately first, then, inevitably, the whole population.
Other devaluing activities of people include infanticide, euthanasia, suicide, homicide. Where the invention of the telescope provoked a shift in perspective that enabled humans to think of the earth as an object ready for exploitation, the advent of nuclear weapons technology enabled another perspective, bringing into view the possibility of destroying human life through human-made technologies. "Science is meaningless because it has no answer to the only question that matters to: what should we do? How shall we live?"
Nothing would be more shortsighted than considering the possibility of our extinction as an accidental by-product of some specific technological devices, for example, atomic weapons. Rather, the potential for our liquidation is the very principle which we provide all our devices with.
Jesus speaks to this question as he sends us to be his disciples in a dangerous world. He sends us to face hatred, violence, division and "those who kill the body". And even as he asks us to be willing to risk our own lives for the sake of his work, Jesus is clear that God values all life.
REASONS WHY HUMAN LIFE IS VALUABLE
Human life was created by God. God created man unique and special. Thus, man's life, as created by God, stands above all other living things. (Isaiah 40:28; Genesis 1:26). Many faiths teach humans are uniquely made in the divine image, reflecting God's attributes and holding special status.
Divine Purpose: Life is seen as a gift from a creator, given with a specific purpose, such as representing God or achieving spiritual realization.
Humans possess a unique ability to experience joy, love, suffering, and self-awareness, giving life intrinsic worth.
Man's soul is immortal. Each of us is an immortal soul living in a physical body, and when the body dies, the soul continues to live (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
esus died to save man. Every one of us is a child of our Heavenly Father, and He loves us so dearly that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to Atone for our sins so that we could return to live with Him, if we choose to follow the path that has been prepared for our journey towards eternal life in God's presence (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).
There is an absolute standard of morality. Moral absolutism is the position that there are universal ethical standards that apply to actions regardless of context. Human moral standards are based in God's personal preferences (what he would rather we do than not do and vice versa) and thus based in the personal preferences of a single individual. This makes them subjective (Proverbs 6:16-17; Exodus 21:12).
The value of Christ is supreme and immeasurable, offering believers forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, eternal life, and peace, acting as a "pearl of great price" that cannot be taken away. He brings intrinsic worth, purpose, and spiritual freedom, transforming one's life from fear to, and joy in, salvation.
CASE STUDIES
Joseph and his brothers (Gen. 37:28). His brothers sold him for twenty shekels/pieces of silver.
Judas negotiated for his master's life. (Matt 27:3). He betrayed his master for thirty pieces of silver. That is the premium he put on Jesus. What a shame!
Egyptian soldier - 1 Samuel 30:13 describes David questioning a sick Egyptian servant abandoned by Amalekites, who reveals he was left behind three days prior due to illness, after the Amalekites raided and burned Ziklag, taking David's family captive. David offers him food and compassion, leading to the young man guiding David to the Amalekite camp, allowing David to recover all that was stolen.
What makes a diamond valuable? Removal of all dross. That determines the extent of its glittering. A diamond's value comes from the "4 Cs": Carat (weight), Cut (brilliance/proportions), Colour (lack of tint), and Clarity (few inclusions), with rarity of these factors driving price, plus certification (like GIA) for trust and market demand, all built on their natural formation deep within the Earth.
MAKING YOUR LIFE WORTH LIVING
Define your values: Identify what truly matters to you (e.g., honesty, family, growth) and adjust your life to reflect these principles for authenticity. Identifies yourself as God's masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..."
Set and achieve small goals: Build momentum and purpose by setting achievable daily or weekly goals, like reading a chapter, learning a new skill, or doing a few pushups. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14).
Cultivate healthy relationships: Invest time in family and friends, giving and receiving support to build strong connections that make life richer.
Contribute and serve: Help others, volunteer, or find ways to make a positive impact, as service to a greater cause brings deep satisfaction.
Pursue your passions: Find work or hobbies that align with your interests to increase fulfillment, whether it's mechanics or teaching. God said in Isaiah 43:4: "You are precious and honored in my sight."
Embrace "flow" states: Immerse yourself fully in tasks, treating work as an art, to find deep engagement and meaning in the present moment.
Disconnect and reflect: Regularly turn off devices to create space for genuine connection, gratitude, and appreciation of simple moments.
Explore and learn: Try new activities, skills, or even travel to break old habits and discover new perspectives.
Find purpose in the Journey: Understand that life's meaning comes from the quest itself, and that challenges are part of your growth story.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light... (1 Peter 2:9)
"You are precious and honored in my sight."
— Isaiah 43:4
CONCLUSION
You may be a precious stone, even priceless, but people may value you based on their level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk taking ability. But don't fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value." In the eyes of God you are very very precious. Respect yourself. You are Unique. No one can Replace you! Know your value and stop listening to the lies - Rev. 1:6. Live as King and Priest.
It makes every day worth living and when you come to the end of life's journey you look back with joy and satisfaction not regret and despair.
The most valuable life in the entire universe voluntarily terminated for mankind. The fact that the Father and Christ would pay that price to redeem mankind indicates the value they both place on man.
Respect yourself. Believe in yourself. Stay focus. Don't sell yourself cheap. You are Unique. No one can replace you!
Civilia Martin, a music composer and teacher wrote in 1905 the lyrics of this song "His Eye Is on the Sparrow", the gospel hymn that confesses, "I know he watches me." In 1974 Graham Kendrick released "Paid on the Nail" - the words of which continue to inspire me and give me hope to this very day. May they give you hope too. Through these words may you see, and accept, your true value to Him:
Is a rich man worth more than a poor man?
A stranger worth less than a friend?
Is a baby worth more than an old man?
Your beginning worth more than your end?
Is a president worth more than his assassin?
Does your value decrease with your crime?
Like when Christ took the place of Barabbas
Would you say he was wasting his time?
Well, how much do you think you are worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Would you say that a man is worth nothing
Until someone is willing to pay?
I suppose that you think you matter
Well, how much do you matter to whom?
It's much easier at night when with friends and bright lights
Than much later alone in your room
Do you think they'll miss one in a billion
When you finish this old human race?
Does it really make much of a difference
When your friends have forgotten your face?
Would you say you are worth what it cost Him?
You say 'no', but the price stays the same.
If it don't make you cry, laugh it off, pass Him by,
But just remember the day when you throw it away
That He paid what He thought you were worth.
How much do you think He is worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Tell me, what are you willing to give Him
In return for the price that He paid?
