What's a Person Worth?
Our measure of achievement rises above the accolades of a vain world and a confused heart, to heaven itself.
Culture watchdogs note that the more traditional societies measure personal worth in terms of honor. Honor is given to those who fulfill their assigned roles in the community, whether as citizen, ruler, teacher, parent, child, etc. Modern society measures personal worth in terms of dignity. We give ourselves the right to develop our own identity and self, free from any socially assigned expectation. [i]
So the pressure is on for everyone’s dignity to be more honorable than their peers', or their parents'. Curiously, parents create a pressure cooker of competition for their kids, trying to raise children who excel in everything. And so the family becomes the garden where a craving for success is first cultivated.
This competition for success exerts itself in every arena of life: schooling, business, sports, politics, and even church. High achievement is so valued that it can, in its own deceptive way, become an idol. Achievement itself is not wrong, and the Bible pushes us toward personal improvement and doing our best—for God and for others.
What is great in God’s kingdom, however, is often least valued in the ways of this world. So the Bible highlights those who are considered least in society—fraudulent tax collectors, dirty prostitutes, the sick and the poor, the underprivileged and jobless, lost sons, widows, social rejects, failures, and those suffering discrimination and other injustice. These are the Bible heroes and high achievers, since greatness in God’s terms comes by his grace. It’s a gift to those who wouldn’t find it otherwise.
In God’s world his faith-filled children can win by losing and can receive by giving. Our status is linked more to his achievements of divine power and mercy than our own weak-willed efforts. Our dignity is no less than that of Jesus Christ himself, whose death and resurrection define us beginning at our baptism.
“Find your value in my work before your own,” God says, urging us toward accomplished fact rather than speculative possibility. The Bible calls believers “God’s workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10) for a reason. When we finally see ourselves as the work of God, then our own work is always in his name, and always blessed in ways beyond our understanding. Our measure of achievement rises above the accolades of a vain world and a confused heart, to heaven itself. Graced with God’s affirmation of “I made you and I redeemed you to be someone special” we put our feet on the floor another day, take another step, and make a meaningful difference.
PRAYER: Success and value have been so redefined by our world, dear God. In the sea of confusion keep me from drowning in its powerful surges or drifting slowly away from your safe harbor. Steer me constantly along the course of your grace, forgiveness, and mercy so that I find my worth and my destiny in you. And send me—your very own work—to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Let your peace bring assurance and security to those whose jobs are in jeopardy or have been terminated, and to those whose work has become a burden. Amen.
[i]Keller, Timothy. Counterfeit Gods. New York: Dutton. 2009. 78,79.