How Much Is Your Faith Worth?

Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, playwright, and novelist.  He is credited with a quote that has become a part of the public domain.

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”   

Since Wilde lived in the 19^th century, I wonder what he would think today? 

In an age of ethical relativism, moral degradation, and spiritual malaise, it almost seems as if everyone and everything has its price.  But there are some things that are priceless.  They have value beyond monetary measure.  Beyond a price tag.

Faith is one of those values that is incalculable in its worth.  Yesterday, we shared the Biblical usage of faith in our word of the week.  Today, we want to explore how your faith has three kinds of worth. 

(1) Your Faith Possesses Spiritual Worth–It Reaches Up! 

Jesus said to his disciples, “Have faith in God” (Matt 11:22).  Unbelief has always been the besetting sin of God’s people (Heb. 3;12).  Since God’s thoughts and ways far surpass ours, we may not always understand the “why” behind his purpose and plan.  But faith calls for us to overcome our doubts and fears.  Paul reminds us that “we walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:17).

Spiritual faith accepts Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.  There have always been doubters and naysayers.  In Jesus’ day, “he came unto his own, but his own did not receive him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12).

Spiritual faith accepts the Bible as the Word of God.  Many doubt it.  Reject it.  Or even vilify it.  However, there is incredible evidence, both internally and externally that the Bible is divinely inspired.  Paul commended the Thessalonians for their acceptance of God’s Word.

“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (2 Thess 2:13).

(2) Faith also has an Interpersonal Worth–It Reaches Out

When we have “faith in the Faith” it makes a difference in our relationships.  Families guided and guarded by faith have better homes.  Happier marriages.  Obedient children.  And when challenges assault our homes, faith allows us to endure and overcome the obstacles.

People of faith enjoy social relationships and apply the second great commandment–“love your neighbor as yourself.  The Faith directs us in honest and honorable business endeavors.  Faith addresses our civil duties and responsibilities to obey governmental laws.  And, of course, our mutual faith with brethren issues itself in love, respect, encouragement, edification, and forgiveness.

(3) Faith has a personal worth–It Reaches into Your Inner Most Self.

Faith provides peace.  Gives comfort.  And offers hope.  Our personal faith is of great value in fulfilling our purpose in life and finding personal fulfillment. Peter was right.  Your faith is of greater worth than gold!

Paul said the Word “performs its work in you who believe.”   Changed lives demonstrate the value of faith.  People released from Satan’s servitude and sin’s shackles are a powerful testimony to the spiritual worth of your faith.

The story is told of a man who loved old books.   One day he met an acquaintance who had just thrown away a Bible that had been stored in the attic of his ancestral home for generations.

“I couldn’t read it,” the friend explained. “Somebody named Guten-something had printed it.”

“Not Gutenberg!” the book lover exclaimed in horror. “That Bible was one of the first books ever printed. Why, a copy just sold for over two million dollars!”

His friend was unimpressed. “Mine wouldn’t have brought a dollar. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German.”

Well, more valuable than a Gutenberg Bible with Martin Luther’s handwritten notes is the Faith contained in that book.   And your faith that is derived from it.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman