Job 2:4

The value of life.

I. MORE VALUABLE THAN MATERIAL POSSESSIONS .

1 . In origin ; being the breath of God's Spirit, while they are only the work of God's hand.

2 . In nature ; being conscious of its own existence, while they are only dead, insensate things.

3 . In capacities ; being possessed of intellect, reason, conscience, will, while they have only properties and qualities peculiar to matter.

4 . In design ; being intended for the conscious enjoyment of God, while they can never consciously enjoy, but only obediently and passively glorify, their Maker.

II. LESS VALUABLE THAN SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS .

1 . In character; being a natural endowment, while these are essentially gifts of grace.

2 . In usefulness ; without these being a failure so far as realizing its appropriate end is concerned, whereas these enhance the dignity and capabilities of life.

3 . In happiness ; life with grace being immensely more enjoyable than mere existence without Job 2:4 . In duration ; life being doomed to decay and dissolution, while the riches of the soul endure for ever.

LESSONS .

1 . Prize life as a gift of God.

2 . Adorn life with the grace of God.

3 . Use life for the glory of God.

4. Return life (when it is called for) into the hands of God.