I have notice the recent shopping habits of people an attitude of looking more at value shopping.

The question that came across my mind this morning was why are people slow to return to the church building?

Could it be value shopping? Or may I say value added?

Even a less made product becomes valuable when the price is reduced or two for one sale.

Then the question arises, what value does attending church add to my life verses staying home and listening to the word online?

The value of the church is to connect worshippers with God and people of like-mind faith.

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

The cost is giving of time, talent, and money.

In going to church I feel a growing relationship with the creator and with like-minded people.

 What if people no longer feel that the church is connecting them to God, people, and purpose?

What if, instead, people have stop believing that the church has value and lacks spiritual health or that no one befriends them or that there is no place of meaningful service for them in the church?

Do you think people will continue to pay the price of attending with time, tithing, and volunteering?

Should the church be afraid to examine its purpose for existing?

Should the church have this conversation?

Will this value consumer added society where people know value and expect value willing to exchange what they see as value for what the church is offering?

Is the church delivering a Christ that adds value to the lives of people?

After Paul considered everything, he had accomplished in his life, he decided to write it all off as “worthless” when compared with the greatness of knowing Christ.

We should value our relationship with Christ as more important than anything else.

To know Christ should be our ultimate goal.

Yet how do we know him better?

(1) Study the life of Christ in the Gospels. See how Christ lived and responded to people (Matthew 11:29).

(2) Study all the New Testament references to Christ (Colossians 1:15–2:15).

3) As you worship and pray, let the Holy Spirit remind you of Christ’s words (John 14:26).

(4) Take up Christ’s mission to preach the gospel and learn from his sufferings (Matthew 28:19; Philippians 3:10).

To do these things, however, may mean that the church must make major changes in its thinking and what it is doing on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Value Added.

Is the church willing to change its values in order to show forth Christ better?

Could this be why people are not willing to fix or rearrange their crowded schedule in order to set aside a few hours on Sunday?

Could this also be the reason people are not willing to change some plans, goals, and desires in order to conform with what Christ wants from their lives?

Whatever a person changes or give up to gain must have more value than what they are giving up.

Christ to me has greater value than the worldly things but inside the building is not the only way we can gain Christ.

John 18:36 (KJV)
³⁶  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Summary:

Matthew 13:44–47 (AV)

⁴⁴ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

⁴⁵ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

⁴⁶ Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

⁴⁷ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have, and a person must be willing to give up everything to obtain it.

The man who discovered the treasure hidden in the field stumbled upon it by accident but knew its value when he found it.

Although the transaction cost the man everything, he paid nothing for the priceless treasure itself. It came free, with the field.

Nothing is more precious than the Kingdom of Heaven; yet God gives it to us as a gift.