Adding value is what life’s about.
We all seem to be wired to do that in some way even when we’re not thinking about it. Ever since the beginning, the created man has been charged with maintaining and protecting things of worth:
“Then the Lord God took the man, whom He formed, and He put him in the garden to work it and guard [it]” [Gen. 1:15, translated from the Septuagint]
Later, He rescued the people He chose and led them out of bondage into a new land. Then He set them apart from the rest of the world by establishing a culture which was meant to revolve not only around Himself, but also around the idea that the real worth of community was realized in the citizen’s ability to create value. This was a radical paradigm shift in socioeconomics, assigning as much significance to the value-creating process as it did the result.
Sure, other civilizations recognized the merit of personal relationships at that time too, but perhaps never had the worth of the individual been so advanced as when the Lord established His nation Israel.
And that’s actually part of what makes the Good News so good.
Because as a partaker of the New Covenant, my value as a redeemed man will never diminish. Having been sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirt of promise, I choose to serve the living God with every confidence in His pledge.
[What does it mean to be “redeemed?” see: Different fruit, Same Good News. [1]]
That being said, the disciple of Jesus Christ actually is charged to add value—not just to himself, but rather to the person of Christ and to God’s kingdom. Both Jesus and the apostolic authors taught that He shall indeed reward good works in proportion to their value when He returns. They often referred to these rewards as an inheritance.
[What is an “inheritance?” see: Birthright Through Redemption [2]]
Unfortunately, this is a concept which is rarely taught or preached about in His congregations today. But that’s no excuse for missing out on the very best God has to offer those He’s called for His purposes.
Adding value to God’s kingdom isn’t just about generous tithing or donating to the Summer youth camp fund. In fact, just becoming a faithful disciple of Christ is the most valuable thing a man can do. At that point, the sky’s the limit.
Whether it’s on the job, studying the Bible with other men, or meeting to encourage one another, every disciple has the potential to increase value.
What will it take for him to realize that?