Episode 114: The Measure of the Soul: What Determines Human Worth

The Measure of a Soul: What Determines Human Worth

Welcome, friends.
Today we’re asking a question that every human heart wrestles with at some point—
What am I worth?
And maybe even more importantly…
Who decides?

The world measures value by success, appearance, intelligence, usefulness, influence, and productivity.
But the Bible tells a very different story—one that is far more hopeful, and far more eternal.

Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.”

That verse alone tells us something powerful.
Your worth is not random.
It is personal.
God knows your name.

WORTH BEGINS AT CREATION 

Let’s go back to the beginning.

Genesis 1:27
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Before sin…
Before shame…
Before failure…
Human beings were declared very good.

Adam and Eve didn’t earn their worth.
They didn’t prove their usefulness.
They didn’t compete for value.

They were valuable because they bore the image of God.

Ellen G. White writes:

“Man was the crowning act of the creation of God, made in His image.”
(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 45)

Your worth does not start with what you do.
It starts with who made you.

SIN DID NOT ERASE HUMAN WORTH 

Sin changed everything—but it did not change everything.

Even after the Fall, Scripture says:

Genesis 9:6
“For in the image of God He made man.”

The image was damaged—but not destroyed.

Think about Cain.
He commits murder.
God confronts the sin.
But God also protects Cain from being killed.

That tells us something important.

Ellen White says:

“In every human being, however fallen, there is a value that God estimates.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 187)

You may be broken.
You may be guilty.
But you are never worthless.

GOD SEEKS THE REJECTED 

Jesus said:

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Think about the woman at the well in John chapter 4.

She’s a Samaritan.
She’s a woman.
She’s living in shame.
She avoids people.

And Jesus goes out of His way to meet her.

He speaks to her with dignity.
He reveals Himself to her.
And He sends her out as a witness.

Ellen White writes:

“It is not the healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”
(The Desire of Ages, p. 258)

The ones society rejects are often the ones God pursues first.

WORTH IS NOT STATUS OR APPEARANCE 

When God chose a king, He surprised everyone.

1 Samuel 16:7
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

David was overlooked.
Ignored.
Unimpressive.

But God saw something deeper.

Ellen White reminds us:

“The Lord judges not according to outward appearance.”
(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 638)

God does not evaluate you by resumes, followers, titles, or applause.

He looks at the heart.

THE CROSS DEFINES HUMAN WORTH 

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Transcript

The Measure of a Soul: What Determines Human Worth

Welcome, friends.
Today we’re asking a question that every human heart wrestles with at some point—
What am I worth?
And maybe even more importantly…
Who decides?

The world measures value by success, appearance, intelligence, usefulness, influence, and productivity.
But the Bible tells a very different story—one that is far more hopeful, and far more eternal.

Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.”

That verse alone tells us something powerful.
Your worth is not random.
It is personal.
God knows your name.

WORTH BEGINS AT CREATION 

Let’s go back to the beginning.

Genesis 1:27
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Before sin…
Before shame…
Before failure…
Human beings were declared very good.

Adam and Eve didn’t earn their worth.
They didn’t prove their usefulness.
They didn’t compete for value.

They were valuable because they bore the image of God.

Ellen G. White writes:

“Man was the crowning act of the creation of God, made in His image.”
(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 45)

Your worth does not start with what you do.
It starts with who made you.

SIN DID NOT ERASE HUMAN WORTH 

Sin changed everything—but it did not change everything.

Even after the Fall, Scripture says:

Genesis 9:6
“For in the image of God He made man.”

The image was damaged—but not destroyed.

Think about Cain.
He commits murder.
God confronts the sin.
But God also protects Cain from being killed.

That tells us something important.

Ellen White says:

“In every human being, however fallen, there is a value that God estimates.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 187)

You may be broken.
You may be guilty.
But you are never worthless.

GOD SEEKS THE REJECTED 

Jesus said:

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Think about the woman at the well in John chapter 4.

She’s a Samaritan.
She’s a woman.
She’s living in shame.
She avoids people.

And Jesus goes out of His way to meet her.

He speaks to her with dignity.
He reveals Himself to her.
And He sends her out as a witness.

Ellen White writes:

“It is not the healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”
(The Desire of Ages, p. 258)

The ones society rejects are often the ones God pursues first.

WORTH IS NOT STATUS OR APPEARANCE 

When God chose a king, He surprised everyone.

1 Samuel 16:7
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

David was overlooked.
Ignored.
Unimpressive.

But God saw something deeper.

Ellen White reminds us:

“The Lord judges not according to outward appearance.”
(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 638)

God does not evaluate you by resumes, followers, titles, or applause.

He looks at the heart.

THE CROSS DEFINES HUMAN WORTH 

If you ever doubt your value—look at the cross.

Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Barabbas goes free.
Jesus takes his place.

That’s not an accident.
That’s a message.

Ellen White says:

“In the gift of His Son for our redemption, God has shown how high a value He places upon man.”
(Steps to Christ, p. 21)

The worth of a soul is measured by the price Heaven paid.

JESUS SEPARATES WORTH FROM CONDEMNATION 

In John chapter 8, a woman is dragged before Jesus—exposed, humiliated, condemned.

Jesus does not excuse her sin.
But He also does not destroy her.

John 8:11
“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Ellen White beautifully writes:

“He who stoops to write in the dust stoops to lift the fallen.”
(The Desire of Ages, p. 462)

Grace says:
You matter…
and you can change.

WORTH IS EQUAL FOR ALL 

Galatians 3:28
“For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan breaks every social boundary.

Ellen White says it plainly:

“Every soul is precious in the sight of God.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 197)

There are no disposable people in God’s kingdom.

REFLECTION 

Let’s bring this together.

Your worth is not determined by:

• Success
• Failure
• Productivity
• Popularity
• Or perfection

Your worth is determined by:

• Creation in God’s image
• God’s unchanging love
• Christ’s sacrifice
• God’s desire for relationship

Isaiah 43:4
“Since you were precious in My sight… I have loved you.”

Ellen White closes it best:

“The worth of a soul, what is it? It is worth the life of the Son of God.”
(Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 186)

If God values you this highly—
Do not despise yourself.
Do not despise others.

You are known.
You are loved.
You are valued.