How Much Is Twenty Dollars Worth?

So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 (NASB)

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We don’t love our kids less when they fail or fall short of perfect behaviour. Yet, it’s astonishing how we often believe God operates this way with us. God is far more gracious than we realize.

Let’s say your kids take a test. One child gets 80% and the other gets 95%. Do you suddenly love the child with the higher grade more than the other child? Do you now consider the kid who didn’t do as well less valuable? Of course not! Their successes or failures don’t change how precious they are to you or how much you love them. God feels the same way about us!

Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, God likely doesn’t love me too much. I’ve done so many bad things.” No, that’s just a legalistic religious view—that’s not God’s view. That’s like having your five-year-old come up to you for a hug. When you squeeze them tight and tell them you love them, they push away and say, “Oh, I didn’t pick up my toys and I shouted and made Mommy mad. You can’t really love me.” See how crazy this legalistic, religious thinking is? 

Look at it this way—does a twenty-dollar bill’s value change if it is old and ratty-looking? Does it become worth less because it’s been scrunched into a thousand different wallets? No, it’s still worth twenty dollars. It isn’t suddenly worth five dollars, just because somebody says it is, or because of what it has gone through. It holds the same value, because that’s what its creator, the federal reserve, gave it.

God loves you, designed you and cares about you. He has minted you with unchangeable value. Don’t believe anything less.

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