I was writing the message on a door-hanger to advertise our new children's program at Christ Fellowship Church today and mentioned that we teach the children their "worth and value." The phrase "worth and value" is common, but I could not actually define the difference between the two words. So I looked them up! The words are certainly related, but have very distinct meanings.
Value is inherent to the product, meaning value is built into it. All items have a certain value often based on who made them and what products were used to make them. A product's worth is often used as a measure of its value, but the words are not interchangeable. Worth is the highest price a person is willing to pay for a product.
So an item's value comes from its origin and its worth comes from what one is willing to pay for it.
We all have both worth and value. Our value come from the fact that we are each unique, special creatures made by God. We are his children and He loves us because of it. So what then is our worth? What is the price one is willing to pay for us? Our worth to God was settled when Jesus died on the cross. We are worth the death of God.
There are no creatures or other creations with as much worth and value as God has given us. If we learn to look at each other and honor our worth and value, we treat each other as God wants us to. It's a matter of perception. I know my own worth and value, so I know yours too. No person has more worth or value than another. If we see each other in this way, loving our neighbors and enemies will no longer be a religious struggle but will be a natural reaction to who they are.
My worth and value was settled by God, and so was yours. Let's honor that together.
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