Romans 8:32 — “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

Much of my job deals with stuff. I don’t mean that I am dealing with people who have specific issues, but with people who own a lot of stuff.

Regularly our company will receive a call from a person who has to liquidate some belongings. Sometimes this person needs to downsize, and other times there’s been a death, and the unneeded possessions must be disposed of. Our crew responds to these calls by moving the items to our auction site where in just a few hours all the stuff is gone.

One by one the items sell and the purchase price is determined by the amount the bidders are willing to pay. Some items bring a lot while others, such as box lots of household goods, bring a small sum.

Often we can predict how much a certain piece will sell for – but every once in a while an ordinary item will skyrocket in price. Two or more bidders will volley back and forth until it sells for much more than expected.

Usually this happens because there is some sentimental meaning to the purchase. Family members or friends will join the bidding war hopefully to acquire the piece that reminds them of a loved one or special experience. The memory of the bidders and the price they are willing to pay determines the worth and value of the item.

There is a spiritual bidding war going on in the world today. Satan desires to acquire the soul of each human. This liar tries to keep our price down by constantly reminding us of our unworthiness. But the truth is that all humanity was made in the image of God, and this makes us valuable to God.

Falling into sin tarnished us, but God loved us so much that He was willing to pay the highest price to buy us back. He didn’t spare His own Son, but sent Him to die in our place and to purchase us back with His blood.

What we look like, what we’ve done, or what we’ve accomplished is of no consequence. To God we are not just stuff to be discarded, but people of inestimable value.

How valuable is your stuff? Our company can’t guarantee what your items will sell for. But I can tell you this: you, God’s creation made in His image, are very valuable and of great worth. God paid the highest price when He sent His only Son to purchase you with His blood. And nobody can top that bid.

Sandra Sheridan is a Midwest wife and mother of five. She shares her messages to her children with Farm World. Visit her at www.VersesFromMama.com