I incomparable 2 – Who or what determines my worth?

I am incomparable. Last Sunday it was about self-love.
A topic that is actually a bit frowned upon in Christian circles because we were taught that we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. But we have seen that Jesus gives us a command and how important it is that we learn to love ourselves.
Because that saves us from becoming selfish, because this is the only way we can love others, because this is the only way our life glorifies God and we radiate his love and because this is the only way we grow into the fullness of life that he would like to give us.

Today there is another topic that affects each of us.
At first glance it seems like it’s mostly something for teenagers, but I believe it’s also a question that subconsciously drives most adults. Namely the question of who or what determines my value. When do I feel good, when do I feel valuable?
And this topic is very closely linked to our identity and the question: Who am I? What defines me, how do I define myself as a person?

A great place to find out how people describe themselves is through personals.
What makes me stand out: I like to laugh a lot and am always in a good mood, very humorous, honest, loyal and reliable, tolerant and empathetic, can listen well, etc. Here’s another one that has less to do with the topic now, but I found it so funny that I don’t want to withhold it from you:
Are all Italians macho?
No! Me, 28/181/82, sensitive type, looking for an independent woman who has her own opinion and is strong enough to keep it to herself. Which not only cuts a good figure in a bikini, but also at the stove. Get in touch and I’ll carry you on my hands (only up to 80 kilos)

When we meet new people, e.g. In the community, at work, in our free time, we usually introduce ourselves like this:
Hello, I’m Sebastian, or Miriam or something like that, I’m 35 (under 40, we usually still say that) I’m from Frankenberg, I’m married and have two children I am a project manager at FingerHaus.

But now imagine if it all fell away. You have an accident at work as a result of which you can no longer work.
Everything you wanted to achieve in life no longer works. Your marriage breaks up, you have to move to a strange city. What are you then Then what is your worth?

Very few things happen in such a pointed way and that’s why we sometimes don’t even notice what kind of inner driver we have.
Some realize this when they retire, or when they’re on their deathbed, or in a major crisis.

Jesus tells a story.
And in this story the four main drivers of our life become clear, what determines our value and what defines us as human beings.
And I think it’s exciting that Jesus tells a story. He could have just said, those are the 4 points, and that is the solution. But you know, this topic isn’t so much about our head, it’s a question that goes much deeper. And stories are something that can touch us on this level. And so I pray that this story of Jesus, even if we’ve heard it a hundred times, will really touch and change our hearts.

Luke 15, 11-32

And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

So there are two sons who are both trying in different ways to create value for themselves. The first son is defined by his property.