Today, slavery is more rampant than ever, with the Anti-Slavery Organisation estimating that 49.6 million people currently live in modern slavery – more than three times the estimated amount in the total Atlantic Slave Trade. This illicit organization makes over an estimated US $150 billion yearly – with the profits demonstrating the comparatively little cost of each life. Even developed nations’ governments put figures on what a ‘life’ is worth – because, after all, although it’s nice to think that we’re each invaluable, the toll for the consideration of the ‘greater good’ makes this much more difficult to achieve realistically.
While it seems harsh, it’s not only big corporations or soulless perpetrators that put value on life. Even we ourselves demand some sort of value-ranking system as we decide who to spend time with, who to listen to, or, often more painfully, how much each of us feel we ourselves are worth.
A lack of self-confidence has become an ever-growing epidemic, with studies suggesting that a staggering 85% of the world’s population struggles with low self-esteem. It’s not just the business world or social circles that reduce us to numbers or arbitrary measures of worth — often, our harshest critic is the one staring back at us in the mirror. We’ve all had those days: the ones where nothing seems to go right, where it feels like no one wants you around, and even your own expectations feel impossibly out of reach. It’s a crushing weight, leaving you stuck in a spiral of self-doubt and frustration. But what if there’s a different way to measure your worth — one that isn’t defined by fleeting success or external approval?
When we turn to the Bible, we see a stark contrast between its core message and the picture of worth the world enforces upon us. In fact, from the very beginning, it declares that we are ‘created in the image of God’ – truly granting us the infinite value we seek. This is demonstrated again and again throughout the Bible, as God continually turned back to the Israelites, heard those who cried out to Him, and gave us the greatest gift of all: His own Son, Jesus, in order to save us.
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.
Matthew 10:29, NLT
Demonstrating via the most common worldly understanding of value – monetary worth – Jesus explains how we’re worth so much more than we could even imagine. If even the creatures we consider least valuable are accounted for and known by Him, how much more must He care about us?
Enough to send His own Son, to die for us.
But wait…Let’s rewind for a minute.
If you didn’t grow up with this message, it may have the eye-opening, soul-lifting, powerful effect that it should, and wow, I hope it does! But for those of you who have been blessed enough to have grown up in the church, you’ve probably heard this message a thousand times: after all, it is the church’s main message. Comparatively, to all else, God values us the most. Whether or not we deserve it, regardless of who we are.
So, for those of you who may be numbed to this, I want to put it into perspective for a second. There are currently 8 billion people in the world. Now, that’s a big number. When we think of something in such large quantities, we might assume it’s expendable. But in this scenario, it’s not – not to you. Each and every one of those 8 billion lives holds value. In fact, they are so valuable to you that you let your son – who you love more than anything – choose to die to save them. Not just for the 8 billion in it;s entirety, but even for just one—one small, seemingly insignificant life.
That, right there? That’s exactly what God did. Because each of us is worth that much.I don’t know if you’ve ever died for something, but since you’re here reading this, I’ll work on the assumption that you haven’t. Personally, I know I often say I would (‘I would die for a good hot meal right now’), which, to be honest, probably isn’t ideal. But that’s just my point – so often, we unconsciously say we’d do something that dramatic, but seriously, to actually do it? I’m not sure I could follow through. For the most part, however, I’m not sure what I would do if someone died for me.
You’d really have to start valuing yourself, wouldn’t you? Because if nothing else, they did. They valued you that much and thought you were worthy. You would have to believe it because they did.
So, why don’t we?
Again, we come back to the question of what truly makes us worthy. Now, I invite you to see a different perspective. Are we worthwhile, worth something because the world is full of people on the same quest as us and rife with misjudgments and mistakes, telling us that we are or are not? Or are we worthwhile because God tells us that we are? Because our infallible God and His faultless Son decided that we’re worth it.
It doesn’t leave much to disagree on, does it?
Just a side note: we also don’t do anything to be worth it. As Paul so aptly put it:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…
Ephesians 2:8, ESV
It’s not about who you are or what you’ve done. You’re beloved and considered worth something, regardless. Of course, this doesn’t get down into the complexities of the issue, but here, we don’t need to. If you want to learn more about God, love, and forgiveness, we have a whole blog post series on love and forgiveness at Hope.Study. All you need to know now is you're worth it. Yeah, you.
So start believing it.
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About the Author
Azaria is a passionate young writer devoted to exploring and sharing the truth of God’s Word. With a heart for faith and a love for storytelling, she seeks to inspire and engage readers on their spiritual journeys.
Azaria Jones
NSW, Australia
