Knowing Your Value as a Christian

Knowing your value is the process of recognising your skills, talents, and experiences and how they contribute to the world around you. That means that we all have skills, talents and experiences which (can) contribute to the world around us. As a Christian, knowing your value is not any different. The reason is to raise awareness on how better you can influence the world with what you have. But what do you have, and how can that contribute to the world around you? We will delve into this so you can know it and not perish.

Skills and talents

Every person that God has created has a talent. Some have one, and others have as many as 11! Yes. Leonardo da Vinci is one of such persons. He was a talented artist, scientist, anatomist, sculptor, botanist, inventor, architect, engineer, musician, entertainer and philosopher. However, one does not need so many talents like Leonardo da Vinci to make an impact in the world. The same is true for the believer in Christ. You do not need many talents to contribute to your world. The onus is now on you to recognise what talent you have and how it can have a positive Christ­­­­­­­­­–centred impact on the world.

Skills, on the other hand, are learned and perfected through practice. The Collins Dictionary defines skill as “great ability or proficiency; expertness that comes from training, practice, etc.” So you might not necessarily be talented in something, but you can learn and be very good at it. You are responsible for recognising and using these things in God’s Kingdom business. Skills and talents are invaluable assets that can be used to serve God and others.

Experiences

As a Christian who may have walked with God for a while, I suppose you have had many experiences. Not many people have seen the things you have seen. But all these add up to your value as a Christian. Take Paul, for instance, how he was once a persecutor of the church, became a follower of Christ, became an apostle planting churches all over, was imprisoned, beaten with rods, and so many things (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

Your experiences are very different from the experiences of an unbeliever. Sometimes, when you tell unbelievers your experiences, they think it is a lie because it sounds too good to be true. But those things are valuable. You will need them to teach many others in life. Treasure them!

Contribution to the world around you

We must contribute to the world with our skills, talents and experiences. Our gifts are to help build each other up (see 1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:12). Our skills can take us before kings to help the kingdom, just as Joseph was taken before Pharaoh and was able to save the entire Egypt and his family from starving to death (see Genesis 47:13-27).

Our experiences can also encourage and advise others going through what we have experienced. That is why David was able to advise Solomon, and Solomon was able to advise us, especially on the subject of daily living in Proverbs. Your advocacy skills can be used to serve God’s kingdom interests. Your talent as a musician can be used in that regard, too. It is up to you to contribute to the world around you with what you have been blessed with as a believer. However, God gave you those talents and skills, especially for work. Use them effectively because you will be judged on it.