Value

God places inestimable value on the human soul. He paid the redemption price of the blood of his son Jesus Christ to purchase his own people who are precious to him. Everything that achieves or maintains this relationship is to be valued.

Redemptive values of people, animals and property

Leviticus 27:1–25 These are the values for recovering or buying back what has been dedicated to God. They were designed to teach the Israelites the great cost of redemption.

The value of Jesus Christ

The betrayal price

Matthew 26:14–15 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6 See also Jeremiah 32:6–9; Zechariah 11:12–13; Matthew 27:9

Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

His true value

Philippians 3:8 See also Matthew 13:44–46; 1 Peter 2:4–7

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

The value of people

They are made in the image of God

Genesis 1:26–27 Being made in God's image gives humanity intrinsic worth and dignity. See also Psalm 8:3–8; Colossians 3:10; Hebrews 2:6–8

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

The inestimable value of a human soul

Psalm 49:7–8 See also Matthew 16:26 parallel Mark 8:37

No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,

The redemptive price of a soul

1 Peter 1:18–19 See also Matthew 20:28 parallel Mark 10:45; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23; Revelation 5:9

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

The value of God's people to him

1 Peter 2:4 See also Psalm 116:15; Isaiah 43:3–4; Matthew 6:26 parallel Luke 12:24; Matthew 10:31 parallel Luke 12:7; Matthew 12:12

As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,

The value of Christian life and service

Godly character

1 Timothy 4:8 See also 1 Timothy 6:6; 1 Peter 3:4

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

Spiritual wisdom

Job 28:12–19; Proverbs 3:13–15, Proverbs 8:11, Proverbs 8:19, Proverbs 16:16; James 3:13–17

Steadfast faith

1 Peter 1:7 See also Job 23:10

so that the proven character of your faith — more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

A good marriage

Proverbs 31:10 See also Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 18:22

A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.