Friday, June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010

"If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" James 2:3-4
How do you determine the value of something?
In this consumer-driven, value-oriented world, how do you decide what is a good price to pay for an item.
Generally, there are several factors.
First is the brand name. Over the years, certain companies have distiguished themselves as being an industry leader in their product. The quality and reliability of their product has earned them trust with consumers. So, when shopping for that item, one of the first considerations of value is the name brand. Some are willing to even pay a higher price to purchase that item made by that company.
Second is the need of the consumer at the time. If an important appliance goes out and needs to be replaced in a hurry, the urgency of the situation may require you to pay more for the first available unit. Urgency sometime dictates the price.
Third, there is the more subjective issue of personal preference. You may pay more for an item just because it strikes your fancy or touches you emotionally. It has greater value because of the happiness it brings you. Because you like it better you are willing to pay more for it.
So, when it comes to value, there are market forces that come into play, and there are some economic forces that factor in and there are subjective issues, as well.
In James 2, he deals with how you determine the value of a person who comes into your fellowship. There should be one determining factor - God created them, God loves them and Jesus died for them. That makes them valuable to God and you are to ascribe that value to them. If you judge their value based on outward factors or selfish subjective factors - you are sinning and will answer to God.
Everyone is valuable to God! Everyone who enters your church or your LIFE groups or simple crosses your path during the day is a person of great worth to God and should be treated as such by you.
Failure to do so will cost you - big time!