Measuring the Value of a Human Life.

How do we measure the value of a human life?

Should we say the richest man in the world is more valuable than a homeless man? Can we say those who do good to you are more valuable than those who hurt you, who betray you? What makes a person valuable?

More than anything else, the Bible teaches us to love. How can you value someone if you do not love them? Real love, in itself, is genuine—no pretense. It can never be faked. It is not love until it is given away.

The Bible teaches us that where there is love, there is God (1 John 4:16), and where there is God, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). Love your neighbor as you love yourself. And by neighbor, Jesus was referring to every single human being that walks this earth. If God is love, and we are supposed to love everyone just as we love ourselves, this should open our eyes to a very powerful truth—it is impossible for a relationship to survive without God’s involvement. But that’s a story for another day. For now, let’s get back our reason for gathering here—the value of a human life.

Let’s take a look at our proof text, found in the book of Matthew 5:43–48 (NKJV):

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Now, all these verses collectively summarize the value of a human being—what makes a person valuable. But the one verse I need us to focus on for now is verse 45.

This verse tells us that God’s sun rises for both the evil and the good. It rains for both the just and the unjust. As far as God gives, it is given equally to all of us. When the sun rises, the same sun that rises for the wealthy man is the same sun that rises for the homeless man. If it is hot for the wealthy man, it is hot for the homeless man too. God's grace is freely given to all human beings equally.

God sees every human being as equally valuable. The value of a human being is simply this: that you were created by God. Whether you're rich or poor, the one truth you can never run away from is the fact that we are all God's creation.

Look around you. Look at that young lady who works the till at your favorite supermarket. Look at the Fortune 500 CEO. Look at that young man in the military. Look at the homeless man. Look at the drug addict. Look at the youth. Look at the elderly. Look at the people whose job is to pick up your trash.

Now, according to the standards of this world—according to social standards—some of these people are considered more important than others. Take a look at when a famous celebrity passes on. The fanfare, the social media hype, the media coverage—everywhere you turn, the whole world is talking about it. But take a look when a prophet of God passes on. You will never know about it unless you were somehow connected to that prophet. Such is the state of this world. It has gotten to a point where we determine value by what we can see physically, by what we can see with our fleshly eyes.

We value flesh more than spirit. Because that which a person values most—that is what they will focus on. That is what gives them their strength. This is why, when you see someone who has way more money than you, you feel small—because your strength is rooted in money. And the little money you have is nothing compared to theirs. This is why, when you see someone more beautiful or more handsome than you, you feel small—because what you value most is looks. That is where your strength comes from: your looks.

What do you value most in your life? Is it family? Is it your kids? Is it your partner? Is it your job? Is it your business? Or maybe those new expensive sneakers? What will happen if someone steps on them and scuffs them?

What do you value most?

If I hurt you right now—betray you to the point where, no matter how much you try, you just can’t find it in yourself to forgive me—what will happen if one day I need your help, and you’re the only one who can help me? What will happen if one day you need my help, and I am the only one who can help you?

What’s more valuable—the grudge or the human life? The unforgiveness or love? Which is more valuable?

Do you know that feeling you get after you’ve taken a shower and put on one of your best outfits? That good feeling, like the world is yours. Like, if you wanted to, you could just pick it up and put it in your pocket. That feeling of being on top of the world—fresh and clean. Do you know that feeling?

Those who are obedient to the Word of God understand what God means when He says, love your neighbor as yourself.

If you feel good because you’re clean, if you feel confident and on top of the world because of that freshness, how do you think the smelly person feels? You think they’re confident? You think they have peace in their life?

So then, what do you value most?

There’s a big difference between someone who is kind-hearted and someone who is obedient. See, God does not reward the kind-hearted. God rewards the obedient.

The difference between the two is this: kind-hearted people will give a temporary solution, while obedient people will give a permanent solution. The kind-hearted rely on human logic and human wisdom to solve problems, but the obedient are covered, backed, and strengthened by the Spirit of God in everything they do.

A kind-hearted person might buy soap, shower gel, or deodorant and say, “Use this.” And yes, it will help—for a while. But once it runs out, what then? Another gift? Another purchase?

The obedient, on the other hand, use that same gift—a bar of soap, a stick of deodorant—as a weapon in spiritual warfare. Because the obedient understand that the solution begins in the Spirit. First, we go to God before we go to man. And when the Spirit of God is involved, that soap, that deodorant, is covered by the blood of Jesus. It is anointed. And when it reaches the one in need, the Spirit behind it brings deliverance. It breaks the demonic oppression holding that person captive.

When you look at a drug addict, what do you see? When you look at a serial killer, what do you see? When you look at the homeless, the jobless—what do you see? These things are not self-inflicted. They are works of the kingdom of darkness. That person is oppressed by a demonic spirit. And if they are not delivered, no matter what temporary help you give them, they will remain in that state.

So what needs to happen? Deliverance first. Then healing.

And when the Spirit of God is involved, when you give, God anoints your giving. He covers it. And when it reaches its destination, it delivers. That’s when a permanent solution takes place.

Whether you return or not, whether you buy more soap or not—it doesn’t matter. Because once they are delivered, the veil is lifted. Suddenly, they can see. They can understand. They value what is good over what is not. Doors open. They get a job. They buy their own soap, their own clothes. They value cleanliness. They are free.

It is the Spirit that gives life. The flesh counts for nothing.

The true values of a Christian are these: gentleness, kindness, peace, love, unity, patience, and faith. These are what a Christian should value more than anything else.

So, what do you value most?

This is the life we live today—a life that values people based on what they give us, based on what they can offer. But all life is valuable.

To value a human life, whether rich or poor, kind or cruel, whether you like them or not, is to value God Himself.

We all come from God. Everything that is touched by God, everything made by Him, is made with love. And what can be more valuable than that? Name one thing more valuable than being touched by God.

We laugh, we cry, we smile, we dance, we celebrate, we win, we lose, we break, we heal. Yet every day we are thankful. Because to wake up is to be valued by God. We have been weighed, and though found lacking, we were valued enough to be given another day.

If God values you to the point of giving you life—if He values you enough to protect and keep you—who am I to do otherwise?

So, I ask you: what do you value most?

There isn’t a single human being who was created to suffer. The homeless, the drug addicts, victims of rape, victims of suicide, victims of murder. Families torn apart. Hopelessness. There’s a lot happening in this world today that was never meant for us. Somewhere along the way, humanity took a wrong turn. And instead of fixing our ways, we keep making excuses—because we enjoy sin to the point of defending it, even celebrating it.

The value of a human life goes beyond what the human mind could ever imagine. It goes beyond everything we know and love. If you value other people, you will value yourself. And if you value yourself, you will value God. Those who value God are the ones who live under the shadow of His wings. They will never be shaken.