Volume XXXVIII, #24: How Important Are You To God?

The Reminder

Warren Berkley
06/17/18 - The Reminder

Jesus said, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26)

Have you ever seen a bird dressed up like a farmer? Have you ever observed, in a pick-up truck, a bird driving, going out to check the fields and put out irrigation lines? Have you ever witnessed a bird going to the bank to apply for a loan, to have funds to put a crop out, or buy equipment?

Sounds funny. But what we never see; what we observe in the "unemployment" of birds in farming, is the very thing Jesus is affirming: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns."

So, how do the birds survive, would be the question. And Jesus gave the answer: Your Heavenly Father feeds them!! {Granted, they have to work to get the food and eat it, etc. But that isn't the main point here.}

It occurs to me, Jesus did not say, "The Birds Heavenly Father." No — He said, "Your Heavenly Father feeds them." But is this just a lesson in how God takes care of birds??

No — the whole point of this comes with the next statement, which is stated as a rhetorical question: "Are you not of more value than they?" Now — when we read statements like this — we need to include ourselves. There is every reason in the context, to see that Jesus is addressing the value of people; not groups, but individuals!! He goes on to say, two verses later, "Why do you worry?" "Worry" is a function of individuals. This is about the value of individual people, in the sight of God; in the estimation of heaven.

And this is what matters most!! You may think nothing of yourself. You may imagine that others think of you in demeaning ways. People may even tell you or display to you in some way that they think little of you. You can mark that down as human estimation. Then, get focused on divine estimate. Jesus said you are of high value — crowned with glory and honor, regarded by God as His valuable creature! Read the 8th Psalm.