One of the most unusual items ever bought and sold was a cup of water that was reported to have been in the possession of Elvis Presley.  It is said that the few tablespoons of water were left over from a plastic cup he drank from during a North Carolina concert in 1977.  The “prized possession” sold for a staggering $455. 

     You may ask, “Why would someone pay that much money for a few drops of water?”  Well, there is an expression in the world of buying and selling antiques- “It is worth whatever someone will pay for it.”  People are willing to pay high prices based upon their affection toward a particular item – in essence, this sets the value of the possession.  Thomas Pain asserts, “What we obtain too cheaply we esteem too little; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” 

     Consider the purchased possession of God.  We were wicked, carnal humanity – flawed, marred, and full of sin; yet God paid the ultimate price in that He gave His only Son to die in our place.  God purchased you and me; and He did this because of His affection toward us.   Are we worth it?  Some would say “no” but God says “yes.”  We are dear to Him – and that dearness determines our value.  He does not love us because we are valuable; we are valuable because He loves us!