"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works
are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:14).
What
measurements do you use to define your self-worth? Do you define it based on
your financial assets? Is it based on what you have achieved professionally?
Perhaps you define your value based on the number of children you have.
There are
many things we can use to define our self-worth. However, the scriptures tell
us there is only one measure for our self-worth. Each of us has self-worth
because we are made in the image of God. And because we are made in the image
of God, we are valuable. Whenever you and I place a value in ourselves that is
based on some other performance criteria, we have moved beyond God's view of
our worth as human beings. You are never more valuable to God than you were the
day you were born.
Many of
us have sought to determine our self-worth based on the amount of money we
have. This is a dangerous trap. Paul warns us against seeking to build wealth
in order to gain greater value. Paul came to understand that the greatest
riches could not compare with knowing Christ. In fact, he considered all other
material things to be mere rubbish in comparison: "I consider everything a
loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord"
(Philippians 3:7-8).
Basing
our self-worth on how much money we have or our achievements is an easy trap.
We are bombarded with messages that say we are defined by what we drive, where
we live, how many toys we own, and the size of our investment account. The
media message is designed to create dissatisfaction and lust for what we don't
have.
Paul said
the purpose for his existence was......"to know Christ, and the power of
his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like
him in his death" (Philippians 3:10).
In what
terms do you define yourself? Is it based on knowing Christ alone?
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