Understanding Our Worth: Created vs. Contributive Value

Devotional

Day 1: The Fluctuating Sense of Worth in the Kingdom of Contributive Value

In our world, value is often determined by what we can contribute—our skills, talents, and resources. This perspective can lead to a fluctuating sense of worth based on our abilities and achievements. When we measure our value by what we can do or produce, we may find ourselves on an emotional rollercoaster, feeling valuable when we succeed and worthless when we fail. This is the essence of the "kingdom of contributive value," where our worth is constantly in flux, dependent on external factors and societal standards.

However, this is not the ultimate measure of our value. The kingdom of contributive value can lead to a distorted self-image and an unhealthy comparison with others. It can make us feel inadequate or superior based on our contributions, which is not how God sees us. Understanding this can help us shift our focus from what we do to who we are in God's eyes. [40:32]

Bible Passage:
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a recent situation where you felt your worth was tied to your performance or contributions. How can you shift your perspective to see your value as inherent and not based on what you do?

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Day 2: Jesus' Kingdom of Created Value

Jesus introduces a different kingdom where our value is inherent because we are created by God. This kingdom stands in sharp contrast to the kingdom of contributive value, emphasizing that our worth is not based on what we can contribute but on who created us. In this kingdom, our value is constant and unchanging because it is rooted in God's creation and love for us.

This understanding is transformative. It frees us from the pressure to constantly prove our worth through achievements and allows us to rest in the assurance that we are valuable simply because we are God's creation. This shift in perspective can profoundly impact how we see ourselves and others, leading us to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve as God's creation. [43:44]

Bible Passage:
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or insignificant. How does knowing that your value is inherent and given by God change your view of yourself and your circumstances?

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Day 3: Elevating the Marginalized

Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently elevated those who were considered to have little or no contributive value. He proclaimed good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, showing that their worth was inherent and not diminished by their societal roles. Jesus' actions and teachings challenge us to see the inherent value in every person, regardless of their status or contributions.

This perspective calls us to a radical re-evaluation of how we view and treat others, especially those who are marginalized or overlooked by society. It invites us to follow Jesus' example in affirming the worth of every individual and advocating for their dignity and rights. [45:30]

Bible Passage:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." (Luke 4:18, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of someone in your community who is often overlooked or marginalized. How can you affirm their inherent worth and show them the love and respect they deserve this week?

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Day 4: Parables of Value

Jesus' parables, such as the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, underscore the immense value of every individual, regardless of their status or contributions. These stories illustrate that every person has created value and is worth seeking out and celebrating. They remind us that God's love and grace extend to everyone, and that He rejoices over each one of us.

These parables challenge us to adopt God's perspective on value and to seek out those who are lost or overlooked. They call us to celebrate the inherent worth of every person and to rejoice in their restoration and redemption. [53:11]

Bible Passage:
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." (Luke 15:4-5, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt lost or overlooked. How did it feel to be found or recognized? How can you extend that same sense of value and recognition to someone else today?

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Day 5: Reflecting God's Image

Our real worth is not based on what we contribute but on the fact that we are created in God's image. This understanding should transform how we see ourselves and others, leading us to live out God's purposes in the world. We are called to reflect God's generous, loving, and peaceful nature in our interactions with others.

Recognizing that we are made in God's image gives us a profound sense of purpose and identity. It calls us to live in a way that reflects God's character and to treat others with the same love and respect that God shows us. This perspective can transform our relationships and our approach to life, as we seek to embody God's image in all that we do. [59:59]

Bible Passage:
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

Reflection:
Consider one area of your life where you struggle to see yourself or others as made in God's image. What practical steps can you take to reflect God's love and character in that area today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the concept of value and how we determine it. I shared a personal story about trying to assess the value of one of my vehicles, which led to a broader discussion about how we evaluate worth in our lives. We often find ourselves in a world where value is determined by what we can contribute—our skills, talents, and resources. This is what I call the "kingdom of contributive value." In this kingdom, the more you can contribute, the higher your value. This perspective affects how we see ourselves and others, often leading to a fluctuating sense of worth based on our abilities and achievements.

However, Jesus introduces us to a different kingdom—the "kingdom of created value." In this kingdom, our value is inherent because we are created by God. This is a radical shift from the contributive value system. Jesus' ministry, as described in the Gospel of Luke, highlights this clash of kingdoms. He consistently elevated those who were considered to have little or no contributive value: the poor, the prisoners, the blind, and the oppressed. Through various episodes in Jesus' life, we see Him affirming the inherent worth of individuals, regardless of their societal contributions.

For instance, Jesus' first public speech in the synagogue proclaimed good news to the poor and freedom for the prisoners, emphasizing their created value. He also called a tax collector, Levi, to follow Him, and dined with tax collectors and sinners, showing that their worth was not diminished by their societal roles. In another instance, a sinful woman anointed Jesus' feet, and He welcomed her, offering forgiveness and peace, thus elevating her value.

Jesus' parables, such as the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, further illustrate this point. Each story underscores the immense value of every individual, regardless of their status or contributions. Even the poor widow who gave two small copper coins was praised by Jesus for her generosity, reflecting her created value.

In conclusion, we must choose which kingdom we will live in: the kingdom of contributive value or the kingdom of created value. Our real worth is not based on what we contribute but on the fact that we are created in God's image. This understanding should transform how we see ourselves and others, leading us to live out God's purposes in the world.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Kingdom of Contributive Value: In our world, value is often determined by what we can contribute—our skills, talents, and resources. This perspective can lead to a fluctuating sense of worth based on our abilities and achievements. However, this is not the ultimate measure of our value. [40:32]
2. Jesus' Kingdom of Created Value: Jesus introduces a different kingdom where our value is inherent because we are created by God. This kingdom stands in sharp contrast to the kingdom of contributive value, emphasizing that our worth is not based on what we can contribute but on who created us. [43:44]
3. Elevating the Marginalized: Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently elevated those who were considered to have little or no contributive value. He proclaimed good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, showing that their worth was inherent and not diminished by their societal roles. [45:30]
4. Parables of Value: Jesus' parables, such as the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, underscore the immense value of every individual, regardless of their status or contributions. These stories illustrate that every person has created value and is worth seeking out and celebrating. [53:11]
5. Reflecting God's Image: Our real worth is not based on what we contribute but on the fact that we are created in God's image. This understanding should transform how we see ourselves and others, leading us to live out God's purposes in the world. We are called to reflect God's generous, loving, and peaceful nature in our interactions with others. [59:59]
### [59:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:26] - Determining Value
[39:03] - Psalm 8 and Human Worth
[40:32] - The Kingdom of Contributive Value
[42:06] - Examples of Contributive Value
[43:44] - Jesus' Kingdom of Created Value
[45:30] - Jesus' Ministry to the Marginalized
[46:59] - Good News for the Overlooked
[47:53] - Jesus' Rejection in His Hometown
[48:54] - Tax Collectors and Sinners
[50:59] - The Sinful Woman's Anointing
[53:11] - Parables of the Lost
[55:05] - The Lost Sheep
[55:39] - The Lost Coin
[56:14] - The Prodigal Son
[57:32] - The Poor Widow's Offering
[59:59] - Choosing Your Kingdom
[70:46] - Announcements and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 8, what are some of the ways God has shown His care and value for humanity? ([39:03])
In Luke 4:18-19, who are the groups of people Jesus specifically mentions in His proclamation, and what does He promise them? ([45:30])
How does Ephesians 2:10 describe our identity and purpose as God's creation? ([01:04:35])
What examples from Jesus' ministry in the Gospel of Luke illustrate the clash between the kingdom of contributive value and the kingdom of created value? ([45:30])

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of being "crowned with glory and honor" in Psalm 8 challenge the idea of contributive value? ([39:03])
What does Jesus' proclamation in Luke 4:18-19 reveal about His view of inherent human worth? How does this contrast with societal views of value? ([45:30])
In what ways does Ephesians 2:10 suggest that our value is tied to our creation in Christ rather than our contributions? ([01:04:35])
How do the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son in Luke 15 illustrate the concept of created value? ([53:11])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt your value was determined by your contributions. How did that affect your self-worth and interactions with others? ([40:32])
Jesus elevated the value of those considered to have little or no contributive value. How can you apply this principle in your daily life, especially towards marginalized individuals? ([45:30])
Think about the people you interact with regularly. How can you affirm their inherent worth as created by God, regardless of their societal contributions? ([59:59])
In what ways can you shift your mindset from the kingdom of contributive value to the kingdom of created value in your workplace or community? ([43:44])
Identify a specific group or individual in your life who might feel undervalued. What practical steps can you take this week to show them their inherent worth in God's eyes? ([50:59])
How can you remind yourself daily of your created value in God's image, especially when you feel inadequate or unworthy? ([01:00:36])
Reflect on Ephesians 2:10. What good works do you feel God has prepared for you to do, and how can recognizing your created value empower you to fulfill them? ([01:04:35])

Sermon Clips

1. "What you believe about your value is going to affect what you believe about the value of every person you interact with. And that's going to affect your perception of yourself, your perception of others. It's going to affect, in essence, every part of your life, every day. What we believe about this, about our value, turns out to be very important." [40:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We live in what I'm calling the kingdom of contributive value. In this kingdom, the price tag hanging from the back of your neck is determined by the number of factors that all center around what you or I can contribute. The more you can contribute, the higher your value. Let me give you some examples. Can you contribute something scarce, like high IQ or creative genius? If so, your value goes up. Can you contribute charisma to energize groups of people toward a common goal? Oh yeah, well then your value goes up." [42:06] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus shows up and His primary message was repent, which is to say, think differently. I want you to understand this. I want you to reorient your thinking around something. And then He says, the kingdom of God is at hand. There's a new kingdom that Jesus ushers in. And among other things, the kingdom stands in sharp contrast to the kingdom of contributive value." [43:44] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "In this kingdom, you have value because of who created you. If you are someone who's interested in art of any form, you realize that the particular piece of art, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or a composition, has much more value depending on who created it, which is why people will pay millions of dollars for a Picasso, even though someone down the street might draw something. But it has virtually no value." [45:30] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus was elevating the value of everyone that the others considered worthless. Another example, in Luke chapter 7, starting in verse 36, when one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, because he's like, oh yeah, so yeah, he should have dinner with me because I'm a person of value. He went to the Pharisee's house, he reclined at the table, and a woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. So she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume." [51:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "So the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine. Jesus is saying, this is why I'm spending time with all of these people. They all have created value. But he doesn't stop there. He tells another story in case they're not getting the point. He says, let me tell you about a woman who had ten coins and she lost one of them. She turns her house upside down looking for that coin. And we kind of get that, don't we? If you had a hundred dollars and you lost ten, you'd be like, uh, yeah, I'm gonna see if I can find that. Because, you know, that's ten percent of I'm losing here." [55:39] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "There are two ways to determine your value. The kingdom of contributed value or the kingdom of created value. Which kingdom will you choose? Heavenly Father, You have created us to bear Your image in this world. do good works that will reflect our God, our generous and wise and just and loving and peaceful God. Father, would You remind us this day and this week that our real value is not based on what we contribute in the kingdom of contributed value, but instead, our real value as sons and daughters created in Your image to live out Your purposes in Your world." [01:05:12] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I pray that when I see a person, I will see the image of God inside, an ultimate value, not just the cultural image that we strive to attain. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see someone who is contributing? Do you see someone who's got a discount sticker? Or do you see someone whose created value is beyond worth? This is what Paul had in mind when he writes in Ephesians 2.10. He says, We are God's handiwork, His masterpiece, His creation, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared for us to do." [01:04:35] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "See, God knew all about you before you ever contributed anything. And He still, chose to chase after you as the one lost sheep. Even Jesus, before He does anything in His ministry, He literally goes down to the river, Jordan. His cousin John baptizes Him, and a voice from heaven says, this is my beloved Son. With Him, I'm well pleased. He had done nothing to that point." [01:00:36] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Each of us has the potential to summon up in the people we meet the image of God and the spark of God-likeness in the human spirit. I pray that when I see a person, I will see the image of God inside, an ultimate value, not just the cultural image that we strive to attain." [01:03:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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