Devalued - by Niki Melton

In school we had to take a class on economics. I’ll admit, I felt fairly confident about the subject matter – I understood the basic principles and had already been experiencing working in retail including marketing and advertising. But as the class progressed, and specifically after a group project gone bad, I started to reconsider my initial brush-off of understanding. I recognized that I had no clue why it didn’t make sense. It was infuriating. How could I not understand something, where, at its core was just about production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services? I mean, it really just comes down to valuation of items, right? Well, hahahaha economics class…. I still went on to a successful retail management career, and now I am co-owner of a small business. Plthhhhhhhhhh!

But as I reflect on this past experience of not just misunderstanding, but moreover not comprehending the valuation methods, I also see the connection to my faith. We are humanly drawn to try to evaluate and size up situations… as well as people. I don’t just mean figuring out what box to put someone in, although that is a fleshly problem, but also considering whether and to what measure someone or something is worth. I’ve noticed more and more tools out there that are designed to help people feel “in control” of their buying experiences. You can go online and compare what someone else paid, who someone else paid, and whether their review leads you to believe they were happy to have paid it. The functionality and “worthiness” of an item has entire marketing groups of companies devoted to managing the buying experience. So... with all this around us, it doesn’t seem a far stretch to also view our experience with God under similar scrutiny. I don’t mean the opinion we take of Him, but actually the view He takes of us.
1 Cor. 6:20 reminds us, “you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your bodies”.
1 Cor. 7:23 echoes this with saying, “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world”.
Gal. 3:13 talks about how God “bought us with His blood”, and verse 14 reiterates the “high price Jesus paid”.
There are in fact a huge number of verses in both Old and New Testament giving description to the purchasing of us by our Lord. So, from these terms, and our basic understand of value from our own economics and currency, it does make sense for there to be some complications in our casual thinking of this crucial faith transaction. Let’s look at a few right now.
1. We are not a tax write-off for God. We do not depreciate in value due to use.
2. There is no Kingdom market value. We cannot lose or increase in value because of what the world around us is doing.
3. Our purchase is already settled. There was no negotiation in price. God purchased each of us through the crucifixion of His only son, and did not offer anything low-ball because of His foreknowledge of our individual sin. He knew what He was getting!
4. God did not check any apps to verify our value before He planned the purchase. He chose us and called us each by name- not only did He know what He was getting, He wanted us.
5. And here’s a biggie… God made us, then we walked, then He bought us back. Let that sink in. Read Hosea. Consider what it means to value something so much that you didn’t just put into it once, but bought it again.
6. We are not an item on layaway. Yes, there was a deposit (Holy Spirit!!!!! [2 Cor. 1:22]), but God paid in full. Even on our worst days, He’s not bummed about our value, and wishing He could return us to stock.
7. And finally, the only devaluing we have is the kind that Satan wishes for us to do to ourselves. God sees us with favor. (Eph. 1:4-6)

You are valued in God. All you were, all you are, and all that you will be to come. If He sees such a high value in us, why do we shame ourselves into thinking He might be wrong? Live today like you know your worth. Child of the Most High God!