do we have value?
Growing up in the church, I often heard two very different messages about human value.
On one side, I heard that we have tremendous value — and God is basically waiting on us to stop being lazy and “get to work.” To quote Michael Scott from The Office: “God helps those who help themselves.”
According to this view, the reason we aren’t wealthy, successful, thin, beautiful, or fulfilled is because we simply aren’t trying hard enough.
Just pull yourself up. Hustle harder. Grind more. Fix your life.
But here’s the problem: a lot of people have tried and tried… and still not arrived where they hoped. Many live disappointed, believing they must be failing God or failing at life.
The other message I heard was the opposite.
This side said we are nothing — dirt, worthless, contaminated by sin inside and out. According to this view, the only way to have value is to surrender to God so He can fix us. But the result is often people who feel afraid to take a step or try anything because they believe they have nothing to offer the world. As if God made a mistake when He created them.
The irony? Both messages lead to despair.
Both create people who feel trapped, exhausted, ashamed, or stuck.
So the real question becomes:
Is There a Better Way?
I think Scripture gives us a beautiful tension — one that actually frees us.
1. You Have Value Because You Were Created in the Image of God
Before you accomplish anything.
Before you succeed or fail.
Before you try or don’t try.
God looked at humanity and said:
“It is good.”
You carry the imprint — the design signature — of the Creator Himself.
You reflect Him when you love, create, build, imagine, and live.
Your value is not something you earn.
It’s something you bear.
You come stamped with:
“Created by God.”
2. But It Is God Who Gives Strength, Purpose, and Direction
Having value is not the same as living a life that expresses that value
A Porsche sitting in the driveway is beautiful and valuable — but without a key, it doesn’t go anywhere.
Your identity gives you worth.
The Holy Spirit gives you movement.
He is the ignition.
He turns value into purpose.
He turns identity into calling.
He turns design into direction.
There are many gifted and amazing people doing incredible things, even without following Jesus. Talent is real, creativity is real, and drive is real.
But here’s the question I keep coming back to:
What is the eternal value of anything if God is not in it?
For me, value isn’t determined by the size of what I do or the applause it gets.
Value comes from being led — step by step — to do what the Lord shows me.
That’s where worth becomes lived.
Where identity becomes purpose.
Where being “known by God before I was born” becomes more than a verse — it becomes a deep contentment about who I am and why I’m here.
You Have Value — And You’re Invited to Live It
Your worth is secure:
Image-bearer. Known. Created. Loved.
Your purpose is available:
Led. Empowered. Sent.
Why have a beautiful car and never drive it?
Why carry God’s image but never step into the life He empowers you to live?
You have value — and God gives you strength to live it out.
On one side, I heard that we have tremendous value — and God is basically waiting on us to stop being lazy and “get to work.” To quote Michael Scott from The Office: “God helps those who help themselves.”
According to this view, the reason we aren’t wealthy, successful, thin, beautiful, or fulfilled is because we simply aren’t trying hard enough.
Just pull yourself up. Hustle harder. Grind more. Fix your life.
But here’s the problem: a lot of people have tried and tried… and still not arrived where they hoped. Many live disappointed, believing they must be failing God or failing at life.
The other message I heard was the opposite.
This side said we are nothing — dirt, worthless, contaminated by sin inside and out. According to this view, the only way to have value is to surrender to God so He can fix us. But the result is often people who feel afraid to take a step or try anything because they believe they have nothing to offer the world. As if God made a mistake when He created them.
The irony? Both messages lead to despair.
Both create people who feel trapped, exhausted, ashamed, or stuck.
So the real question becomes:
Is There a Better Way?
I think Scripture gives us a beautiful tension — one that actually frees us.
1. You Have Value Because You Were Created in the Image of God
Before you accomplish anything.
Before you succeed or fail.
Before you try or don’t try.
God looked at humanity and said:
“It is good.”
You carry the imprint — the design signature — of the Creator Himself.
You reflect Him when you love, create, build, imagine, and live.
Your value is not something you earn.
It’s something you bear.
You come stamped with:
“Created by God.”
2. But It Is God Who Gives Strength, Purpose, and Direction
Having value is not the same as living a life that expresses that value
A Porsche sitting in the driveway is beautiful and valuable — but without a key, it doesn’t go anywhere.
Your identity gives you worth.
The Holy Spirit gives you movement.
He is the ignition.
He turns value into purpose.
He turns identity into calling.
He turns design into direction.
There are many gifted and amazing people doing incredible things, even without following Jesus. Talent is real, creativity is real, and drive is real.
But here’s the question I keep coming back to:
What is the eternal value of anything if God is not in it?
For me, value isn’t determined by the size of what I do or the applause it gets.
Value comes from being led — step by step — to do what the Lord shows me.
That’s where worth becomes lived.
Where identity becomes purpose.
Where being “known by God before I was born” becomes more than a verse — it becomes a deep contentment about who I am and why I’m here.
You Have Value — And You’re Invited to Live It
Your worth is secure:
Image-bearer. Known. Created. Loved.
Your purpose is available:
Led. Empowered. Sent.
Why have a beautiful car and never drive it?
Why carry God’s image but never step into the life He empowers you to live?
You have value — and God gives you strength to live it out.
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