Knowing your worth in God is so important as a believer in Jesus Christ.
But what does God say about our self-worth in the Bible?
God actually has a lot to say about our self-worth! But it’s common to not make this connection very easily because we can feel like what happened to people in the Bible thousands of years ago doesn’t apply to us.
But it does apply to us!
So, if you’ve gone looking for answers regarding your self-worth in the Bible, I want you to know that I have too.
More than I care to admit, sometimes I just want to know God loves me for me. Not for what I can do for Him, or how good I’ve behaved, but just me as I am, flaws and all.
The cry of my heart wants to know that even when it’s hard for me to love myself, that there is a God who loves me and finds me worthy just as I am.
Knowing our self-worth in God is foundational for knowing our identity in Christ, and I’m excited to share what I’ve found regarding our self-worth with you. Let’s begin.
What Does the Bible Say About Self-Worth?
What does the Bible say about self-worth? Let’s take a look.
First, I’m going to take a second and break down two words that are often used interchangeably but are actually quite different in meaning: value and worth.
In a separate post, I explain in depth the difference between value and worth. I will give a brief overview here; however, you’ll definitely want to click the below link for more info!
Read More: What’s the Difference Between Worth and Value?
So, how are we to know what the Bible says on self-worth if we don’t properly understand what worth is?
That’s why we’re starting here.
The main difference between worth and value is that the worth of something will always remain the same, whereas the value of something can fluctuate depending on the person.
Worth really speaks to the cost of something, and only takes into consideration the monetary cost of an item, without any emotional attachment.
That is why the worth of an item always remains the same.
However, the value of something takes into account both an emotional and monetary cost.
That is why value can fluctuate depending on the person.
For example: I might not value a vintage comic book as much as someone else, however regardless of how valuable it is to me, a vintage comic book is still worth thousands of dollars.
Make sense?
To determine if an item has value or not, it really depends on the opinion of the person in question.
Read More: God Values You!
However, with worth, all that matters is the cost of the item, without factoring in anyone else’s opinion.
One resource I really like for knowing our worth in God is the book: Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. Click here or the image below to check it out!
For example: An Audi may be worth up to a hundred thousand dollars, but to you the value of owning an Audi could be less if owning an expensive car isn’t important to you.
The value of an item can change depending on the person, but an item’s worth is fixed, meaning it doesn’t change or diminish based on the opinions of others.
Now, circling back to the original question, what does the Bible say about self-worth, it’s crucial to understand that Jesus’ worth is fixed, meaning it doesn’t change or diminish based on the opinions of others.
In the Bible, and still today, not everyone views Jesus as valuable, yet Jesus’ worth never changes.
This is super important.
So, now we must ask, what is Jesus’ worth?
In a word, everything.
Jesus tells us that following Him is worth it all.
Matthew 16:25 says:
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
Matthew 16:25 (NIV)
Jesus knows that He is worth everything, even your life.
Whatever you can give Him, whatever you can do for Him, Jesus knows that He is worth it.
John 3:16 tells us to believe in Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is worth it.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (ESV)
Matthew 16:24 tells us to take up our cross and follow Him. Why? Because Jesus knows He is worth it.
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24 (NLT)
Jesus knows He is worth whatever it costs you to follow Him.
We see in the Bible that is Jesus is so secure in who He is, that even when the enemy attacks His sense of self-worth (Matthew Chapter 4), it carried no weight because Jesus knew exactly who He was.
Jesus is the Son of the Living God who is loved by His Heavenly Father.
“But what about you?” He [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 16:15-17 (NIV)
However, what’s important to note here is the reason Jesus knew His self-worth was because Jesus knew His true identity.
Jesus’ self-worth wasn’t based on the opinions of others but was instead based on His identity as the Son of God.
Because Jesus based His sense of self-worth on His identity as the Son of God, it didn’t matter what lies the enemy threw at Him, or what other people said about Him, Jesus knew exactly who He was.
Jesus knew He was the Savior of the World whose true mission was to die for the sins of all mankind.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 (NIV)
Jesus didn’t have any identity issues. Jesus knew His sense of self-worth because He knew exactly who He was.
Now, let’s turn this around and talk about how this applies to you and your sense of self-worth.
Jesus knows that He is worth it all, but what’s crazy is the Bible tells us that you are worth it all to Him.
For more info check out the book: Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. Click here or the image below to check it out!
What Is My Worth to God?
So, the question we are presented with is, “What is my worth to God?”
The reason we know we are worthy to God is because your salvation came at a cost.
That means there was a price tag attached to your salvation.
Remember: Worth speaks to the cost of something without factoring in anyone’s personal opinion
There was a price that had to be paid for your salvation, but without even blinking an eye Jesus decided that you were worth it.
You are so valuable to God that you are worth the premium price tag that it cost Jesus to ransom you from your sins.
Above we quoted Matthew 16:25 which says: “Whoever loses their life for me will find it”. This might seem like a tall ask, but Jesus never asks you to do anything above what He is willing to do Himself.
Jesus asks you to give your life for Him, but only because He first gave His life for you.
John 10:18 Jesus says:
“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
John 10:18 (NLT)
The price tag for your salvation was Jesus’ own life, and He sacrificed it voluntarily. Your worth (aka your monetary cost) cost Jesus His life.
Jesus did this because you are worth the steep price tag Jesus paid to bring you safely home to your Father in heaven.
So, what is your worth to God? Your worth is Jesus’ own life.
Just like Jesus’ worth is fixed and doesn’t change depending on the opinion of others, your worth is also fixed.
Meaning, your worth never changes to God.
Your worth is rooted in something much deeper than someone’s opinion of you, your worth is rooted in the unwavering opinion of God.
Just like Jesus’ sense of self-worth is based on His identity as the Son of God, your sense of self-worth is based on your identity as a child of God.
Read More: What Exactly Does It Mean to Be a Child of God?
You are made in the image of God and are fully known, seen, loved, and valued by your Heavenly Father.
It didn’t matter what lies the enemy throws at you, or what other people say about you. Because your self-worth is rooted in your identity as a child of God, their opinions can’t truly hurt you.
Don’t get me wrong, we are all human and still have feelings and emotions.
But when you base your identity in Christ and not on the opinions of others, your sense of self-worth can never truly be shaken because it was never rooted in the things of this world anyways.
Your sense of self-worth is instead rooted in something much deeper, in God’s opinion of you.
God says that He has always loved you, even before you were born.
So, if you’re still asking yourself the question, “What is my worth to God?” You can answer with this:
You are God’s masterpiece whose life matters because you are valuable, worthy, and precious to Him. Stand strong in knowing that you are, and always have been, fully known and fully loved by an all-loving God.
Let’s recap what God says about self-worth in the Bible:
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- Jesus knew His self-worth because Jesus knew His true
- Jesus’ self-worth wasn’t based on the opinions of others but was instead based on His identity as the Son of God.
- Your worth is not rooted in the opinion of others, but instead in the unwavering opinion of God.
- We know we are worthy to God because our salvation came at a cost, Jesus’ own life.
- Just like Jesus’ sense of self-worth is based on His identity as the Son of God, your sense of self-worth is based on your identity as a child of God.
- When you base your sense of self-worth on your identity as God’s child, it can never truly be shaken because God’s opinion of you cannot be changed.
- You are, and always have been, loved, valuable, worthy and precious to God.
More Resources for Knowing Your Worth in God
My signature course, Passport from Heaven will also help you understand what it means to be know your worth in God!
In it I do a deep dive on what the Bible says about your identity in Christ, and how knowing these truths will quite literally change your life. As you can tell, I am very passionate about it. If you’re interested, click here to check it out!
Bible Study Resources!
Just for fun, here’s some of my favorite Bible study tools that have really helped me in understanding the Word of God:
Favorite Bibles and Commentaries:
Favorite Books and Devotionals:
Bible Journaling Supplies:
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- Dual Tip Brush Highlighters (they don’t bleed!)
- Colorful Sticky Notes (I’m a big fan of the color scheme in their Bali Collection)
- Bible Tabs (Rose colored)
- Washi Tape
- Bible Journaling Collection Set
Read More
What Does It Mean to Be Made in the Image of God?
What Does It Mean to Be Fearfully & Wonderfully Made?
Did this post help you understand what God says about self-worth in the Bible? Let me know in the comments below!
I found your site by happenstance, but God led me to it! Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you! I have been in the Ministry for over forty years. But I am always thankful for the God-head of God working together in His children to lead us to one another! Continue to be blessed in your gift to bless others! God Bless You Richly Is My Prayer For Your Ministry In The Lord!!!!
Rev. Michael L. Sullivan, Pastor
Nicholtown Presbyterian Church
Greenville, SC
Thank you so much for your message and I pray my site blesses you!