Finding Everlasting Value.

• Value in things 
       In America the society is very much one of want.  Sadly because of excess and never having enough the value of things has been greatly reduced.  What is a drink of fresh water to us when we can get it anywhere?  Having multiple pair of shoes is enough to make us rich in the sight of many yet we think nothing of it.
Because of our spoiledness and loss of value in the things we can come by so easily, our value for life has also been diminished.  Value for our own life and the life of others.  In 2011 there were 39,518 suicides in the US, meaning someone died by suicide every 13.3 minutes.
What causes one to have no value for their life or the lives of all that will be affected by their death? It is that they lack something of lasting value.


 Prov 10:

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.   KJV
 Rightousness is what we need, but we can't obtain on our own.  It comes from relationship with God, which is the only thing we can leave earth with.  It has everlasting value.

Ever wonder why even when people are successful and have more than enough they still aren't happy?  Holding value in temporary things will never bring happiness to the soul.



    Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 
      15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.   NIV


Holding onto and getting more tempory things of value will only increase our need for something that has lasting value
   Seek Him!
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(Be sure to read the whole chapter to see the things that will be added unto you.)
    
• Value in others 
How often do we selfishly value ourselves above others?  Or based on outward appearance decide the value of someone.
I think Jesus very thoroughly gave example with His words and actions of what He thought about this.


Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!



Wow!  God robed in flesh made himself of no reputation, and took on the nature of a servant... He was so humble and valued His creation so much, how much more should we be humble and value what He created that, unlike Him, we truly are equal with?  Much more.  And we should value others above ourselves. 




• Self Value


   Though we should value others above ourselves doesn't mean we should put ourselves down.  God's value for us is more than we can ever understand.


Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

        


Matthew 10:29   Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.


When it's hard to see the value in yourself, then remember these passages from Luke and Matthew.  Search the scripture and see the inumerable examples of God's value in us.


YOU ARE VALUABLE!  And God wants a relationsip with you.  Nothing can fill the void but a relationship with Him.












.