PASS IT ON: The values we cherish and uphold
I read a piece under the column “PASS IT ON” titled “THREE THINGS” by Natalie Whittle, in a Guide Posts, August, 2004 edition. It was about a homework assignment for tenth grader’s English class: To write a journal entry listing three things that could be found in their pockets. That followed after reading “the contents of a dead man’s pocket,” a story about a man that learned that people are more important than money. They pondered on the idea that what people hold on to or preserve in their pockets reveal who they truly are. The story went on to say that the following November, one of their female students, named Anna died in a car accident. Her parents found in her homework assignments pack her wishes that read, “If I were to die tomorrow, I would want people to find a picture of my family. They are a big part of who I am. Second, a receipt from a charity so people would learn I don’t just think about myself. Finally, a cross to symbolize my faith.” These findings later set the stage for her memorial. To fulfill Anna’s dream, her parents donated money to help build schools in India. Co-students supported this venture. I share this facilitating story because it contains some strong, passionate and incredible values that challenge the way we live our lives.
First, the value we place on money. Money was created to be a vehicle, a means and not an end. In our society today, money has become a mini- god that attracts many worshippers. It’s illusion that money is evil. Rather it is what we do or things done with money; the love of money above God and human beings that’s evil. The scriptures contend that you can have God and money, but you cannot serve both; it is either God or money. When I look back to the evil that befell America as a nation on September11, 2001, even though wealth was lost but the greatest lost were the souls of massacred innocent lives. Even though money is a defense and answers everything but is not everything [Eccl.7:12; 10:19].Do not put your trust in it.
As a matter of fact, there’s no comparison between a person and money. The book of Genesis, chapter one records that when God created every other thing, He saw each creature as being good but when He created man He saw him as being very good [vs. 27-31]. The way God made man is different from other creature. Man is a visible image of an invisible God. Yet some people place much value on money than people. They easily forget there are things money cannot do. For example, money can buy bed, but not sleep. It cannot recreate, be by your side and console you, when you are devastated; cannot love or speak out, but people can. People can use money to do whatever good or evil they choose. However they are responsible for their action
Second, the value on family. A couple of weeks ago, I watched on television Judge Judy court proceedings, where a mother sued her dissident daughter for not paying her bills. The judgment favored the plaintiff. In the post court interview, the adult child said, “I hate you mom, I don’t want anything to do with you”. The mother responded, “I still love my daughter and my two grandchildren. I care about them; I just made her responsible”. This is a common happening in our society. This present generation had launched so much attack on the family. The family is the smallest unit of a nation or society. The evil one wars to destroy this foundation. The war ranges from: high rate of divorce, physical or emotional abuses, murder, drugs and alcoholism, smoking, teen pregnancies to gay and lesbian group, just to mention but a few.
If the unexpected happens, what values would be found in our pockets or hearts? It could be: hate, greed, malice, lust, cheat, manipulation as well as wickedness. These
are unbelievably disgusting but true. Some hate mere mention of their spouses or children. Others have changed their last names so as not be traced or identify with their families. This brought to mind a glorified incident I read. After a marriage/ family seminar, the facilitator asked two questions: “If you were to get married all over again would you marry the same spouse? If you were to reincarnate would you choose to belong to the same family? What would’ve been your honest response? Hold it to yourself and let your destiny challenge your circumstance.
Third, the value on other people. My father used to tell us that “selfishness is a disease.” When people are self-centered, they do not care about other people. They live a-me-first lifestyle and blind to other people’s predicaments. They lack the spirit of sharing. Even when they share, it’s with those who will reciprocate. They have no feelings for the less fortunate. They were created to be poor and should enjoy their sufferings. It makes no sense that the well-to-do’s should share their wealth with the less privileged even if there are crumbs. About every religion encourages giving to others, especially the have-nots. Giving is partly an expression of selfless love and reciprocates the love of God on humanity. You cannot love without giving. The scripture says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”[John3:16]. The whole essence of God’s law is summarized into two commandments: Love God and love mankind, including enemies. There are no suggestions, but commandments.
The fourth is the value on God: Anna had wished to have in her pocket a cross to symbolize her faith. We are living at a time and in a society where public proclamation of one’s faith is considered insensitive to other people. As part of so-called diversity and tolerance, people observe red-lines or better put, no–go-areas. Some are ashamed to carry with them the bible or to pray in Jesus name. It is considered inappropriate and insensitive to talk about one’s faith publicly. Prayers and religious studies had been shot out in schools; God’s moral code, the Ten Commandments from public places. Other voices of dissent agitates the removal of “in God we trust” from the currency and “under God” from the pledge of allegiance. Do they care to ask, which God? Franklin Graham, in his book titled “The Name” said, “Christian who use the name Jesus and insist that He is the one and only way to God are increasingly viewed by many in the liberal media as narrow-minded religious bigots who represent a threat to the rest of society”.
Franklin also refer to Ravi Zacharius, author of “Jesus among others Gods” who said, “……All Christians are such by virtue of conversion. To ask a Christian not to reach out to anyone else who is from another faith is to ask the person to deny his own faith.” Jesus says, “Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven” [Matt.10:32]. Apostle Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it’s the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes” [Rom.1:16]. Indeed no one who is ashamed of the gospel is fit for the kingdom. Little wonder they attack the boldness and witnesses of authentic Christianity. Its liberty and freedom testify to its belief and claims. Our works testify who we are, our passions and the values we cherish and hold. In our world that has continued to witness dramatic drift in values and pursuits, only people who persist in right living, speaking the truth, caring for their family, other people and of course honoring God, shall make impressions and leave values worth emulating on the shores of history. Such values PASS IT ON.
Elder Ogbonnaya, Godswill