What Are You Worth?

The LORD said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate someone to the Lord by paying the value of that person, here is the scale of values to be used. A man between the ages of twenty and sixty is valued at fifty shekels of silver, as measured by the sanctuary shekel. A woman of that age is valued at thirty shekels of silver. A boy between the ages of five and twenty is valued at twenty shekels of silver; a girl of that age is valued at ten shekels of silver. A boy between the ages of one month and five years is valued at five shekels of silver; a girl of that age is valued at three shekels of silver. A man older than sixty is valued at fifteen shekels of silver; a woman of that age is valued at ten shekels of silver. [Leviticus 27.1-7]

In looking over past posts, I realize I have written on this topic more than once!

Here's the deal: at today's price of silver, $24.38/oz. on February 26, 2022, here is what I come up with based on the Biblical shekel estimated to weigh anywhere between 7 to 17 grams:

Man ages 20yr - 60yr (50 shekels or 350-850 grams): $274.34 - $666.26

Woman ages 20yr - 60yr (30 shekels or 210-510 grams): $164.61 - $399.76

Boy ages 5yr - 20yr: (20 shekels or 140-340 grams): $109.74 - $266.50

Girl ages 5yr - 20yr: (10 shekels or 70-170 grams): $54.87 - $133.25

Boy ages 1mo - 5yr: (5 shekels or 35-85 grams): $27.43 - $66.63

Girl ages 1mo - 5yr: (3 shekels or 21-51 grams): $16.46 - $39.98

Man age over 60yr: (15 shekels or 105-255 grams): $82.30 - $199.88

Woman over 60yr: (10 shekels or 70-170 grams): $54.87 - $133.25

What I see here is that we are probably not actually worth what we think we are worth! It should be a humbling thought to us. But this is VERY important in understanding God and His Kingdom! In fact, when we understand these values, the Bible becomes much clearer.

Let me explain: 

The Bible references to God's love for the world are not vague. Clearly, God has a "world vision."

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28.18-20]

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [2 Peter 3.9]

As dollars go, an individual is not worth much. Again, it is important that we humbly understand this! However, if one takes into consideration how many people there are on the planet (we'll just use a current figure around 7.8 billion people), it is easy to see how valuable "the world" is to God especially considering how many people have lived on earth since creation (I won't even attempt the math here because the demographics are just too complicated)! Suffice it to say at the very lowest value above ($16.46), current human value clocks in at 129.70 billion dollars.

So, the compounded value of mankind over the entire span of history is unimaginable. With this in mind, consider that God loves the world. The value is in the whole, not the individual. It is no wonder then that God would instruct His people to remain repentant and humble.

BUT WAIT!

Jesus told some parables that bring the magnificence of God's love for the world into precise focus:

So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” [Luke 15.3-10]

The precious single soul that repents means everything to God. Why? Because God knows both the value of the "whole" of His family, but He also knows the "whole" is incomplete without the individuals! It is an amazing love - it is God's love. Our full understanding of it will not be complete until we join Him in the place He has prepared for us. But for now, this is something to consider!

Father, thank You for Your unmatched love for mankind and for the individual human. Help us to remain mindful that Your goal is the "whole" because You holiness requires completeness. But help us to see the individual as absolutely necessary in making the whole.