The Bible Speaks to You May 18, 1968 Issue

[The above is an abbreviated, postproduction text of the program released for broadcast the week of May 10-16 in the radio series, "The Bible Speaks to You." Heard internationally over more than 1,000 stations, the weekly programs are prepared and produced by the Christian Science Committee on Publication, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. 02115.]

RADIO PROGRAM NO. 319 - What Is Your True Worth?

Questioner: A worthless feeling is pretty rough to live with, don't you agree?
Speaker: Yes. And most of us have felt that way at times. But we can look beyond outward appearances and discover something of great value each one of us really has— the true worth that belongs to man as the spiritual likeness of God. This is emphasized throughout the Bible. Christ Jesus expressed it this way (Luke 12:6, 7): "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

We also read in the Bible (Jer. 31:3), "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Here's the assurance that God, divine Love, is always maintaining man's true worth.
Questioner: But many people feel that this just doesn't apply to them. They know what they've done, and they know what they've left undone.
Speaker: Well, it actually applies to all of us in our true being. But we have to look beyond the outward appearances to discover the unchanging worth that belongs to man as the spiritual likeness of God.

Let me illustrate what I mean. As a landscape architect some years ago, it was my job to design gardens. Often when I looked over the bulbs being put into the ground, I couldn't help but think how ugly they looked. Somebody not familiar with gardening might well wonder how beautiful flowers could come from bulbs such as these. But when the bulbs were put into the ground and properly cared for, beautiful flowers developed.
Questioner: This is true, but there are many people who have a deep feeling of worthlessness, a feeling that they just haven't amounted to anything and that they never will.
Speaker: As with the bulbs, so with ourselves. We have to look deeper than to what the physical senses indicate and see what is really present. Now, I'll have to admit that the illustration is far from a precise one, but somewhat as beauty is already within bulbs, so all the qualities associated with lasting worth are already established.