Worth

Today in church we had a lesson about worth. It was very interesting and thought provoking to me and I thought I would share some of the highlights.

The question was asked, "What is worth?" an accounting major answered that "it is the sum of one's assets minus their liabilities." Another person answered, "it is the perceived value someone gives to someone or some thing." These responses were followed by the question, "What gives something worth?" there were many responses. Some responses were, "If it is in demand that makes it worth a lot" or "if it is rare, then it will be worth more" and many other responses. During the discussion it was mentioned that you can see what is worth to someone by the time spent doing something, or the care put into something. Something of worth is treated differently than something of less worth. Perception has a lot to do with what gives something worth. What might be worth a lot to one person could be worthless to another.

With these thoughts and ideas the conversation swung toward people and worth. The question was then asked, "How do you show the worth of others?" We talked about how when we love, care and serve others we show that they have value to us. That in turn increases their own self worth. Also, our vision of their worth increases as we come to know, love and serve them. Interestingly, it was said that our own worth grows too. One, as the Lord blesses us. Two, as the people we serve come to know and love us they will value us more.

In the Doctrine and Covenants(to learn about the Doctrine and Covenants visit Mormon.org) in section 18 verse 10 it reads, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of the Lord." We talked about how each and every person has great worth to God. That will never change. He loves us all the same and always will. However, our perspective changes and we see people differently. When we come to know, love and serve other people, we begin to see them as God sees them. We come to see how much or worth they really are.

It is my hope that we all, myself included, can take the time to serve others around us, even those people we struggle to love, that we may see them as God sees them. I know that as we do this we will see the worth in those people and we will increase our own self worth as well as theirs. I know that this will bring happiness into our lives and into the lives of those we serve.