Valioso
Cada ser humano é precioso aos olhos de Deus. As Escrituras revelam que fomos criados à imagem divina, resgatados por alto preço e chamados para um propósito eterno.
O valor que Deus nos dá
Nosso valor não vem de conquistas ou aparências, mas do fato de sermos amados pelo Criador. Deus cuida até dos passarinhos — quanto mais de nós!
Whether two sparrows be not sold for an halfpenny? and one of them shall not fall on the earth without your Father.
And all the hairs of your head be numbered.
Therefore do not ye dread; ye be better than many sparrows.
How much more is a man better than a sheep? Therefore it is leaveful to do good in the sabbaths.
Whether five sparrows be not sold for two halfpence [or two farthings]; and one of them is not in forgetting before God?
But also all the hairs of your head be numbered. Therefore do not ye dread; ye be of more price, than many sparrows.
Behold ye the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither reap, neither gather into barns; and your Father of heaven feedeth them. Whether ye be not more worthy than they?
Preciosos aos olhos de Deus
O Senhor declara que somos preciosos e valiosos aos seus olhos. Ele nos chama de propriedade exclusiva e nos reveste de glória.
Since thou art made honourable, and glorious in mine eyes; I loved thee, and I shall give men for thee, and peoples for thy soul.
Therefore if ye shall hear my voice, and shall keep my covenant, ye shall be to me into a specialty of all peoples, that is, a thing loved excellently; for all the earth is mine;
Rise thou, Jerusalem, be thou lightened [or lighted], for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen on thee.
O verdadeiro valor
A Bíblia nos ensina que a fé, a integridade e o caráter são mais valiosos que ouro ou prata. O que tem valor eterno transcende o material.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision is anything worth, neither prepuce, but the belief that worketh by charity [or but faith that worketh by charity].
Mercy and truth forsake thee not; bind thou those to thy throat, and write them in the tables of thine heart.
And thou shalt find grace, and good teaching before God and men.
Chosen silver is the tongue of a just [or rightwise] man; the heart of wicked men is for nought.
Who shall find a strong woman? the price of her is[a] far, and from the last [or utmost] ends.
But I dread nothing of these, neither I make my life preciouser than myself, so that I end, [or fulfill], my course, and the ministry of the word, which I received of the Lord Jesus, to witness the gospel of the grace of God.