Our value to God

2 Corinthians 4:7  "Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us."

We are worth nothing and worth everything all at the same time.  Paul describes us as clay jars which hold a treasure.  In that day, very expensive perfume was contained in clay or alabaster jars.  The jar had no value relative to what it held inside.  There would not be a second thought given to breaking the jar open if the valuable contents were needed or wanted.

Paul's point is to remind us that the credit for Christ living inside of us does not lie in our effort or anything else about which we may boast.  This is not to say, though, that we have no value.  On the contrary, we have immense value.  The One True God of Heaven and Earth sent His One and Only Son to live among us, die an undeserved death and pay a debt we had no chance of repaying ourselves.  To say that God chose to do this for people who have no value seems to insult the intelligence of God.  If we had no value, why would He have done that? 

Our personal value appears to be nothing in relation to the glory of God.  But make no mistake- we are immensely valuable.  God's sacrifice to save us is proof.