May 11, 2012 5 min read

Scripture reading: Exodus 2:1-10. Text: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

Although it is sensed by many, only a few mention that the moral fabric of our society is weakening. There are signs of this unfortunate trend: crime (think of the recent shootings), drugs, scandals, broken families, extremists finding followers, profit-hungry businesses, declining church attendance, less respect for law and other immoral and illegal activities.

Officials think one of the remedies is to teach our children to respect values. I feel that the celebration of Mother’s Day is one of the best occasions to deal with this issue. How valuable is or was your dear mother to you? Is she or was she replaceable? If you wish to insure a mother, what would be the dollar amount of her policy?

THE CONCEPT OF VALUE IS ALSO SPELLED OUT IN THE BIBLE.

– “‘How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!'” Matthew 12:12/a.

– “‘Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.'” Luke 12:7. Other versions use the word: value.

– Apostle Paul wrote: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8.

– “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8. See also Acts of Apostles 3:6 and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

– This is the way Christ compared the earthly values with the spiritual ones: “‘What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?'” Mark 8:38.

Today the concept of value is commercialized. The following are what we say in our daily conversations: How much does it cost? What is its price? What is it worth? What sum will compensate for a specific loss? What are the replacement values of those items we like, appreciate and cherish the most?

THE CHILD IS MOST PRECIOUS FOR THE MOTHER; THE MOTHER IS MOST PRECIOUS FOR THE CHILD.

Once I jokingly told the father of a little girl, “I would be happy to take her.” He answered, “You can have her if you can take her away from her mother.” His instant reply clearly shows what a child means to the mother.

Every mother hopes that her children will be successful in life; the overwhelming majority of the mothers are raising their children accordingly. What mother would not be happy to witness the fame and achievements of her children?

One of the ways to help children reach their highest potentials is to teach them the right values. While most of us agree on the basic criteria of values, we may differ concerning the details and applications.

“I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL” said Jesus. John 10:10/b.

If you could use only one word to define great value, which word would you choose? I think the best word is LIFE! Whatever enhances, improves, strengthens, protects, enriches and purifies life is VALUABLE. I am sure you would concur. But how can we be more specific? May we have a general consensus on these four values (which are not necessarily in order of importance):

– Moral values! Honesty, integrity, decency, purity … what would you add?

– Social values! Peace, security, prosperity, justice … what would you add?

– Family values! Harmony, self-control, inclusiveness … what would you add?

– Spiritual values! Being born anew (John 3:3), forgiveness, salvation, love … what would you add? Read again our text about the fruit of the Spirit.

– What values did we learn from our mother? Sacrificial love, respect for each other, seeing the roses and ignoring the thorns … what would you add?

Apostle Paul wrote these words but they could have come from a heart of a mother too: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.