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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.—Matthew 10:29–31
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We are His beloved and treasured children (1 John 3:1; John 1:12–13; 2 Corinthians 6:17–18; Galatians 3:26). We are chosen by God, adopted into His family through Jesus Christ, and recipients of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:4–6; see also 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2:13). He purchased us not with “mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:18–19). A sparrow could be bought with a penny, but the high price God paid for our redemption was the blood of His own Son (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 6:20). So great is God’s love for us that He gave His one and only Son to die for us and claim us as His own (Romans 5:8; see also Romans 8:31–39; John 3:16–17).
Not only are we worth more than many sparrows, but God considers us His “masterpiece.” … We are His most priceless and valuable works of art, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God, who created us in His own image and likeness, sees us as the crowning work of His creation (Genesis 1:26–27; 5:1; 9:6; James 3:9). Armed with this assurance … we can walk confidently in God’s loving care as we accomplish the good things He has planned for us to do.—Got Questions1
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I told My disciples that every hair of their heads was counted and that not one sparrow falls to the ground without My Father knowing about it. I told them that they didn’t need to worry about their material needs, that if they trusted and followed Me, I would make sure their needs were met.
This may sound unrealistic in today’s materialistic world, where the pursuit of money seems more important than ever. Times have changed, but My promises have not. They are just as sure today as they were 2,000 years ago. Seek first the kingdom of God and obey the Word to the best of your ability, and My Father will provide everything you need (Matthew 10:29–30; 6:33).
When you love Me and are trying to follow My example of loving and caring for others, God will take care of you. That doesn’t mean, though, that you can expect a life of luxury and ease. The tough times are also part of your heavenly Father’s plan to shape your character. And just as an earthly father doesn’t automatically give his children everything they want, My Father doesn’t necessarily give you everything you want. He gives you what you need and what He knows is best for you—not only best for your immediate physical needs, but more importantly for your immortal spirit.—Jesus
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See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!—1 John 3:1
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A well-known speaker started his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200 people, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?”
Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple up the bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air.
“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.
“Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.
“My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless.”—Source unknown
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Titus 1:1: “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness ...”
In biblical times, letters usually began with the author’s name and identity. In keeping with this format, Paul opened his letter to Titus with his own name and the two defining characteristics of his identity: “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (Titus 1:1). Although Paul could have listed his accomplishments like a spiritual résumé, including how he led people to faith in Jesus, planted churches, and traveled on many missionary journeys, his identity was not in what he had achieved but in what he had received from Christ. …
Similar to Paul, when we encounter Jesus and trust Him as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and we become “a servant of God” (Titus 1:1). … The value of our lives is not determined by what we have achieved but by what we have received from the Lord.
When the identity that defines us comes from Jesus, we are freed to live according to His calling, in His hope, and for His purpose. So when I consider the question, Who am I? ... my answer now starts with these words: “I am a follower of Jesus and a servant of the almighty God.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, let my relationship with You be the foremost thought in my mind each day. My true source of life is only You; and being known and loved by You, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is my greatest joy. Thank You for calling me to Yourself, adopting me as Your child, and giving me an inheritance in Your kingdom. Let me be bold in identifying myself with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.—Bronwyn Cardwell2
Published on Anchor August 2026. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by Michael Fogarty.
1 "Why does Jesus say we are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31)?" GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/worth-more-than-many-sparrows.html
2 Bronwyn Cardwell, “Who Am I?” https://app.first5.org/book/Titus%202025/titus_2025_1
