what gives something value?

 

I wouldn't give you two cents for that split open, partially rotted yellow tomato. If that butterfly hadn't flown to it and perched on it my attention wouldn't have been drawn to it. The butterfly was enjoying it and found value in it though. Evidently I am not a reliable source of information for what something is worth. And so, when I am feeling like that tomato looks, and the devil is telling me lies about the value of my life, I have learned to lean hard into the truth that God thinks I was worth dying for. You are too.

Romans 5:6-11

"When we we utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now most people would not be willing to to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."