In a world full of noise, it can be hard to pause and appreciate the people around us and their worth. It is often too easy to go through life taking people for granted. We forget that the relationships we build and maintain with others are some of the most foundational aspects of our lives. But valuing people is honorable and essential to living authentically and with purpose.
THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,
which calls us to extend an attitude of love and respect toward all people. Valuing people means recognizing their worth and that each person has something valuable to offer the world. It means understanding that everyone has strengths and weaknesses but that each individual’s life has meaning and value beyond what they can do for us in our own lives.
VALUING PEOPLE SHOWS THEM THEY ARE RESPECTED AND LOVED,
even if you don’t understand or agree with them. It means taking the time to truly listen when someone shares something with you or expresses a desire or need. Valuing people also involves showing genuine appreciation for someone else’s thoughts, feelings, opinions, ideas, experiences, and perspectives.
IN CONTRAST, VALUING PEOPLE FOR WHAT THEY CAN OFFER YOU IS USING THEM –
taking advantage of their kindness or resources to benefit ourselves without thinking or considering their best interests. This behavior violates core principles of decency and respect by exploiting another’s gifts instead of celebrating them; it ignores their right to self-determination by disregarding their needs in favor of our own; it takes away from the natural beauty of any relationship by making it one-sided in favor of ourselves alone.
Let us never forget how valuable every single person is – whether stranger or family member – because each one is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Every single soul matters just as much as our own – regardless if we stand to gain anything from them – because no one was created merely as a tool for our enjoyment or convenience but rather was designed for fellowship with God himself (Ephesians 2:10). Let us practice humility by placing others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3), exemplifying unconditional love (1 Corinthians 13:3) in our relationships with those around us, honoring each person’s inherent value simply because they were made in His image (Genesis 5:1).
VALUING PEOPLE REQUIRES US TO RECOGNIZE THEIR WORTH AND TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT.
This challenging task means stepping out of our comfort zone and taking the time to listen truly, appreciate and appreciate others for who they are. In doing so, we can positively impact their lives—and ours—by building meaningful relationships based on love and respect. Let us never forget that each person’s life matters as much as ours because, in God’s eyes, every soul was created in His image.
By recognizing the value found within every human being, we encounter – even those who may be different from us – we honor God’s design for humanity and demonstrate his love for us all. May we remember this truth today – that valuing people comes from putting aside our selfish desires and instead focusing on honoring each person’s unique worth – so that no matter whom we encounter today, we may show love towards them just as Jesus did during his ministry on earth.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
