“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”– James 4:14-15
We express our belief in the value of human life in several ways– opposition to abortion, providing or getting medical treatment, safety devices, insurance, etc. Sometimes a single life is so highly valued that much money is spent trying to save it — such as a child trapped in a well, miners trapped in a mine, mountain climbers in danger, etc. But sometimes we fail to understand the value of our life personally– regarding how we ought to live it. We devalue our life by spending it on things that are worthless, or worth less than the main thing. We don’t want to die, but we don’t know what we’re living for. We will do anything to survive, but pay no attention as to why we should.
Life is a precious gift from God and meant to be used for His glory ( 1 Cor. 10:31) – the greatest good. Sadly most people spend it on self-gratification, on things of the earth rather than things eternal. We seen to have forgotten what Paul said in 1 Cor. 6:19-20 “.. ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”. He alone has the right to dictate how we live.
When I was a boy mom would send me to the store with a list of the things she wanted, enough money to cover it, and instructions to return the change. It so happened that just inside the door of that little store, on the right side, there was an old-fashion candy counter! Naturally I would have loved to load up on candy, but I knew I had no right to use mom’s money as I pleased. What I wanted was secondary to what mom commanded. Even so, we have no right to spend our lives as we please. And when it comes to the manner in which we ought to spend it the Bible gives us very clear instructions. C. T. Studd said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” That was wisely spoken! The value of your life isn’t determined by what you get or give, but whether or not God is glorified. — HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
