The true value of life does not
lie in the abundance of possessions, knowledge, high status or material
enjoyment. It cannot be measured by
external glory, but by internal spiritual quality and substance. (I Sam 16:7; Lk 12:15-21). If a
person possesses an excellent spirit, he will be able to establish an intimate
relation with God. God will use him to
accomplish much valuable work. Through
the goodness, honesty and love issued from his heart, many people will be
edified. How precious is this kind of
life!
EXTREMELY VALUABLE TO THE FAMILY
Abraham had a simple and strong
faith toward God (Rom 4:19-21). He
placed God first in his life and obeyed God's command in all matters (Gen
12:4-8;13:18; 22:1-3).
Hence, he received God's blessing throughout his life (Gen 24:1). Through his close relationship with God, he
brought immeasurable blessing to his family and relatives. Sarah was a blessed wife. Since she was married to Abraham, she lived
in the abundant grace of God, receiving God's care and guidance daily. Isaac was a blessed son. His sincere faith and fine character was built
up by Abraham. It afforded him the inheritance of a most precious legacy - the
true God. Lot
was a blessed nephew. He was fortunate
enough to have Abraham love him as his own son.
Abraham risked his life, leading 318 trained servants to deliver Lot and his whole family from the hands of the mighty
armies of four kings. Again, he
interceded earnestly for Lot and moved God to save Lot from the city of
destruction - Sodom
(Gen 18:20-33; 1 9:29). How precious was
the existence of Abraham to his family and relatives!
Cornelius was a devout man. He feared God, prayed constantly and lived a
life loving God and people. He had great
influence among his kindred and friends.
Through his spiritual cultivation and godly character, he manifested the
invisible God to his family. Even one of
the Roman soldiers who served him was transformed to a devout soldier. His good deeds were highly regarded among all
the nation of the Jews (Acts 10:7-22).
His kinsmen and good friends received the salvation through him. They even obtained the Holy Spirit while they
were still listening to Peter's sermon (Acts 10: 24,44-48). How precious was the existence of Cornelius
to his family and kindred.
We should manifest such values to
our families. By drawing near to God and
living spiritually, we shall reflect the glory of the divine character. Through the virtues of honesty, gentleness,
patience and love, our family will enjoy peace and warmth. Our family and kindred may also receive
salvation and God's blessings. Because
of us they will give thanks and glory to God.
EXTREMELY VALUABLE IN SCHOOL AND SOCIETY
Joseph was upright, obedient and
very responsible since his youth (Gen 37:2, 12-17). He was the most valuable son in his
family. Jacob, his father, loved him
dearly. His brothers were jealous and
sold him to Egypt
where he became the servant in the house of Potiphar,
the Pharoah's captain. God was with him and he brought God's grace
abundantly to his master's house. He
turned out to be the most valuable servant.
Later, he was cornered by his master's wife. In order to keep himself holy from
fornication, he was framed of wrongdoing and put into jail. Surprisingly, he became the most valuable prisoner
in that jail. Even the jail-keeper gave
him authority over all the prisoners.
God was with him and through him other prisoners were blessed. When the time of God had come, he was
elevated to be the Prime Minister of Egypt.
He then became the most valuable official in the Egyptian kingdom. God granted him wisdom and enabled him to
interpret pharoah's dream, and save the entire nation
from the peril of famine. Ironically, a
total of 70 people of his father's house also survived. With a magnanimous heart, Joseph pardoned all
the transgressions of his brothers and fed their families. No wonder, the Bible records, "Joseph is
a fruitful bough" (Gen 49:22). How
precious was his existence!
At the age of 20, Daniel was
captured to Babylon
which indulged heavily in idolatry and adultery. He resolved to keep himself holy from defilement
(Dan 1:8) and was determined to live a life, praying three times a day (Dan
6:10,11). He possessed exceptional
spiritual qualities and a noble heart.
Through communing face to face with God, he formed an excellent spirit
and divine virtues. He found favor with
God and the king, and was the most valuable person in his generation. In terms of worldly success, he was elevated
from captivity to the head of religions in Babylon,
and was finally chosen as a president (equivalent to prime minister) of the Persian Empire (Dan 6:1-3). In terms of contribution to the Kingdom of God, he became God's precious vessel and
a greatly beloved prophet (Dan 9:23; 10:11).
Through visions and dreams, God revealed to him His great plan for
mankind, and major events from the time Babylon
until the end of the world. He was likened to a bright star in heaven shining
in the dark age of the world and was a living testimony for God (Dan
12:3). How valuable was his existence!
We should establish strong
spiritual living and be transformed daily by the words of God and the Holy
Spirit to become Christ like (Phil 1:20).
Whether we are in school or society, we may manifest ourselves as
genuine Christians, reflecting divine character so we may draw others to God,
whereby they may obtain salvation and blessings (I Pet 2:12; Acts 11:24).
EXTREMELY VALUABLE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When Ahab became the king of Israel,
he married the wicked woman Jezebel and caused the entire nation to fall into
the great sins of idolatry. God's fury
came upon the house of Israel, the plague of famine prevailed upon the entire
land for three and a half years, and many people died (Lk
4:25).
At the verge of desolation, Elijah
suddenly appeared and shouldered the great task of reviving the faith of the
whole nation. He lived a simple and
frugal life. (2 Kgs 1:8). He was equipped with a strong spirit and
fearless courage (Lk 1: 1 7); was disciplined and
trained by God in order to learn complete obedience and trust (I Kgs 18:1-15). Relying upon God, he boldly challenged 850
false prophets at the foot of Mt.Carmel. Through the power of prayer, he defeated
them, turned the hearts of the Israelites to the true God and destroyed all the
false prophets. Then he went to the
summit of Mt. Carmel and prayed importunately seven
times. God sent showers of rain to
relieve the prolonged drought so the entire nation survived (I Kgs 18:16-46). When
he completed his work for God, there appeared a chariot and horses of fire, then Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha beheld this
magnificent wonder. He cried out with
extreme adoration; "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its
horsemen." (2 Kgs 2:11,12) The sole existence of
Elijah was more valuable than the entire army of the nation. His contribution to Israel is
immeasurable. How precious was his life!
At the age of 40, Moses' faith
became mature. He did not forget how God
saved his life. He'd rather be the child
of God than the son of Pharoah's daughter. He did not treasure the glory of Egypt and its
sinful pleasures but desired the reward and the everlasting glory of God. He forsook his own benefits and status to
devote his life to save his people out of the bondage of slavery (Heb
11:24-26). After 40 years of spiritual
training, God chose him as His precious vessel out of the furnace of affliction
(Is 48:10). Because of his willingness
to render his life unconditionally to God's service, God entrusted him with the
greatest task in the Old Testament era - leading more than two million
Israelites out of Egypt
into the Promised Land. Through this
work, he also fulfilled the perfect pre-configuration of God's salvation. When he accomplished the work of God, he came
to the border of Canaan. He climbed to the top of Mt. Pisgah and overlooked the promised
land. Then, he reflected the 40
years hardship of shepherding God's people.
Moses must have had a clear conscience to meet God in peace. The last 40 years of his life were the most
glorious and valuable. The scriptures
say, "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the
Lord knew face to face" (Deut 34:10).
He was likened to a burning candle (Jn 5:35)
slowly melting away and sending forth a bright light to shine over the entire
nation. He can also be compared to a
grain of wheat buried under the ground, sacrificing himself to bear two million
"grains" (Jn 12:24). This is the only means for a lowly and
useless being to be transformed into an extremely valuable person.
God loves us dearly and chose us
from the world to give us salvation, grace and peace. He even sacrificed Himself by coming into
this world in the flesh to die for our sins.
Hence, it is reasonable that we offer our lives to the Lord to repay His
great love, by becoming valuable workers in God's Kingdom.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord help us to understand
that life, is temporal but very precious, so that we
make full use of each day to receive the words of God and pray for the fullness
of the Holy Spirit. May the mighty power
of God transform us into His precious vessels so that we can be valuable
persons, at home, school, in society and the Kingdom of God.
