“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. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”—Matthew 10:29-31
According to a survey of the general American public, most perceive the status of “rich” to be attained when a person has between $1 million and $5 million in assets. But here’s the catch: In that same survey, only 45% of people whose assets ranged from $1 million to $5 million actually considered themselves to be wealthy.
Financial well-being is almost always judged by our status compared to the status of others around us. Think about it… Someone who makes $50,000 yearly might not consider himself wealthy. Yet compared to all the people who’ve ever lived on earth, he would be in the top 5% of wage earners ever.
So what’s the attitude behind this phenomenon? It’s the fleshly tendency of allowing our perception of others to determine our perception of ourselves. In other words, we’re prone to comparing and competing, assigning ourselves value based upon how we see others.
But the Bible tells us that, in Christ, our value is of infinite worth. In fact, we’re so valued that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place so that we can spend eternity with Him!
So the next time you’re tempted to compare yourself with others, remember what God says about you in John 3:16: your value is so great that He sent Jesus to die to purchase you for eternity!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you understand that your true value is found in Him, not in comparing yourself with others.
Questions for thought
In your life, when do you struggle most with finding your value in Christ? In other words, when are you most susceptible to comparing yourself with others?
How might your thinking be different if you truly found your value in who Christ proclaims you to be?