The True Value of a Person
The Importance of the Physical Body
From a human standpoint, the physical body holds significant value. As a result, people invest their time, energy, and resources into caring for it. Efforts are made to earn money, which can be used to pay rent or buy a house, purchase food, acquire clothing, and own a car to travel wherever desired. Consequently, individuals dedicate a substantial portion of their day to maintaining their physical bodies. On average, people sleep for eight hours, work for another eight hours, and allocate the remaining eight hours to meal preparation, traveling, and cleaning their homes and bodies. For mental entertainment, they spend time on activities such as phone conversations, watching TV, or playing video games. Approximately 80% of all resources are directed towards the physical body, while only about 20% is dedicated to the mind. A minimal amount of time, money, and energy is given to the spirit. To determine whether this focus on the physical body is truly valuable, it is essential to examine it from the perspective of God, the Creator.
God created the physical body as a necessity for human existence, but it serves as merely a temporary vessel for our true essence, the spirit. Regarding the physical body, God has stated: "For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:26-29) From God's point of view, the human body is akin to dust, and thus, an excessive preoccupation with it is unworthy. Although preserving physical health is essential for efficient functioning, being overly concerned with the body beyond what is necessary is not wise.
Then Jesus said to them, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25-34)
Although everyone is familiar with these words, many do not truly grasp or give them sufficient attention. As a result, people tend to focus solely on the present moment and their own physical well-being. This passage goes beyond mere memorization or familiarity; it demands practical application in everyday life.
The worth of the mind exceeds that of gold
For most individuals, their second greatest concern after physical well-being is the mind. People strive for joy, contentment, and inspiration. Nevertheless, Paul asserts that pursuing one's own desires of the flesh and mind without discerning God's will results in suffering His wrath: " All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath." (Ephesians 2:3). Consequently, they experience fear, anxiety, sorrow, weakness, and trembling. Yet, due to their lack of understanding, they are unable to find a resolution, and their predicament only worsens.
The hearts of those who believe in God are more valuable than gold, as illustrated here: "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7). It's crucial to emphasize that faith carries a higher value than gold. Faith originates from the heart. It's essential to understand that many people listen to God's Word but struggle to believe in it. However, believing in God carries immense worth. Consequently, everyone with faith should be glad, even if they lack worldly wisdom, wealth, or power, for "the victory that overcomes the world is our faith" (1 John 5:4).
Faith is tested through various trials and hardships due to its great worth. So, when facing hardship, do not lose heart but patiently wait, knowing that God will resolve your difficulties. Although the test may be challenging during the process, once completed, you will experience immense joy. Similarly, though suffering is difficult to endure, God's glory will ultimately be revealed through it. Embracing this knowledge, let us rejoice in our faith.
The worth of the spirit
The most precious part of a person is the spirit. However, due to ignorance about this spiritual aspect, people fail to appreciate its worth, disregard it, and neglect it. The psalmist stated: "Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay" (Psalm 49:5-9) Your spiritual worth is incredibly high. Whereas your body and mind may not carry significant value in comparison, be aware that your spirit holds tremendous worth, making it priceless and beyond affordability for purchase. Therefore, treasure your spirit highly.
Jesus said, “ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). In God's perspective, your spirit holds greater worth than the entirety of the world (Greek Text: γῆ (gē) – earth or world). However, due to a lack of understanding, people often fail to appreciate the true value of their spirit.
Paul writes about how God has bought both our body and spirit, saying: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
When it is said that God redeems man, the central aspect being redeemed is the spirit. This is because, as God declared in Psalm 103:14, "for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Also, the heart is very corrupt, as stated (Jeremiah 17:9). And also, it is said that " I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26).
Hence, we can assert that God's primary redemption is the spirit. However, following this redemption, the transformation impacts the heart, transitioning from a stony heart to one of flesh. When the body is transformed into the spiritual body during the event of the rapture or resurrection, it too will gain value and significance.
