A New Look at Some Old Values

Did you ever search frantically for a lost object, then find it in an obvious place? Maybe you misplaced your car keys, then found them in the car's ignition. Perhaps you searched for your favorite shirt, only to discover it in the closet where it was supposed to be all along.

Lots of people are searching for family values today. There's a growing market for books like William Bennett's Book of Virtues, and Dan Quayle's *The American Family: Discovering the Values that Make Us Strong. *Even U.S. News & World Report ran a cover story recently on "How to Raise a Moral Child" (June 3, 1996).

It's no wonder folks are concerned. These are tough times for faith and family. Just read the headlines about church buildings burned by arsonists, rising teen alcohol abuse, the Jesus Seminar's latest attacks on the Bible, and proposed legislation that would allow same-sex marriages.

Psalm 11:3 asks a timely question: "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" At first glance, the psalmist's sentiments seem cynical, as if God's people are helpless bystanders watching society's foundations crumble. It's better to focus, however, on the last part of the psalmist's question: "What can the righteous do?" It's not time for panic—it's time for action. Instead of merely complaining about our nation's declining morals, God's people can make a positive difference.

When the foundations are being destroyed, we still can love our mates, encourage our churches, influence our communities, and share our faith. We can teach our children basic values like these:

1. God comes first. Just as the first row of bricks must be laid straight before the rest of the wall goes up, a strong family begins with God.
2. Accept no substitutes for the Lord. Never allow deity impostors such as power, popularity, or pride to take the Lord's rightful place.
3. Respect God's name. Guard your tongue. If you use four-letter words, let them be terms that honor our Heavenly Father: love, care, pray, help, heal.
4. Balance your schedule with a healthy cycle of work, worship, and rest.
5. Honor your parents.
6. Value human life. From the unborn baby to the elderly invalid, all people are created in God's image.
7. Be sexually pure. This isn't old-fashioned; it's God-fashioned for our benefit.
8. Respect others' property. Dare to be different in a day of rampant vandalism, shoplifting, plagiarism, and employee theft.
9. Be honest. Lying insults our truthful Heavenly Father, weakens our example to others, and weaves a tangled web of mistrust and self-deception.
10. Be content. Don't envy others or expect your possessions to make you happy.

Values like these are nothing new. They are simply paraphrases of the Ten Commandments God gave Moses more than three thousand years ago (Exodus 20:1–17). No modern author can improve on the foundational principles revealed by our Creator.

Recently my parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. My mom and dad are humble people. You won't read about them in *Time *magazine. They are quick to remind everyone about their imperfections. But by God's grace their marriage has flourished for half a century because for folks like them, "family values" is not a political slogan but a committed way of life.

Are you looking for a moral foundation that will bless you and your children? Don't be surprised when you find the answers in a most obvious place.