There are things which are worthwhile. A man spends his life walking in faith towards God. He fears God, and walks after His commandments. He makes no notable success according to the world’s rating. He is even spoken of by others with a sort of pity, as a man who never has been successful. Yet all the while he has lived honestly and faithfully. The rest of the world fights for position, scrambling to gain honor in the eyes of their peers, thinking only of themselves. Whereas the man… has been giving out his life in love, serving others, doing good in the sight of the Lord. It doesn’t appear he’s gotten far in the world, and his hands are empty at the last of his life.
But, truly, i’m convinced that there is a success which is not measured by the standards of the business and corporate world. There is an invisible sphere in which values are not rated by dollars and cents or possessions, but by their moral character. And yes, i used “sphere” for lack of a more inclusive word, not because i was trying to sound spiritual. i believe a cup of cold water given in the name of Jesus will count for more than the piling high of a fortune for ourselves. In the eyes of God a man who has seemed unsuccessful, but nevertheless has actively held up the Lords preferences and standards, has really gained a success which lifts his name to high honor.
There are things which are worthwhile.
i was inspired to consider at length the idea of things worthwhile after reading R.L. Miller’s little book “Things To Live For”. i meet so many incarcerated people who just seem to believe there isn’t much left to live for. Some may say their kids or a spouse are someone worth living for, but few actually see themselves or life as something worthwhile.
On a parting shot, there is worthless effort in the long run concerning many things, but i’m saying all this because we really need to know, in this life there are also things worthwhile. In this day and age, it seems so much of our time feels as if it’s spent in wheel-spinning, activities which seem to make no impact in the long run. But hear me on this, chances are good we’re making a difference more than we think when we do the small things that are in front of us. Think on that and i’ll be right back.
Some people become discouraged because they don’t seem to get very far in life, at least according to their expectations as to what encompasses success and achievement. i can relate to that. i am totally not who i had imagined, nor have i accomplished what i dreamed 25 years ago. Many of us work hard, but consistently making ends meet just seems such a struggle. It feels like as fast as we earn, we’ve gotta turn right around and spend. A father works through the years, bringing up a family, and dies in the end seemingly no farther than when he started, often leaving no legacy for his children other than to say he worked hard. Upon his last moments on earth, many men take account of their lives and only see the toil and struggle. Other men who began with him as boys succeeded and grew rich. Often in that fathers eyes though, he feels he has failed. But let’s think about what he has really achieved. i believe work itself is one of life’s best blessings. i love the work of my hands. A man’s years of daily work have built up in him many of the best qualities of true character – promptness, accuracy, faithfulness, patience, persistence, obedience. His work, has also given him health and has developed in him a body of strength; there has also been worked in him a spirit of self reliance and independence.
Through his work, that man has furnished education for his children. In his own life he has set them an example of honesty, truthfulness, unselfishness, diligence, and faith. In positioning himself near Jesus, he has taught them the word of God, and has given them books to read which, hopefully, have put into their minds and hearts pure, inspiring, and upright thoughts. One by one his children go out of the house to become influential in building up a home of their own, carrying with them and in them a heritage of character which makes them blessings in the world.
Though this man leaves no money and no monument of himself of material success, his life has been well worthwhile. He has given to the world something better than money. He has shown it an example of a true and faithful life, in conditions that were not always inspiring. It’s called his testimony. He has maintained in it a godly home, and given into the lives of his household the influences, and preferences of The Living God. He has trained his children, and sent them forth as people of good influence, each one as a new power for righteousness. His name may be forgotten among men, but the benediction of his life and work will stay in the world forever. There are things worthwhile.
It is worthwhile to make sacrifices of love in order to do good. i read a story somewhere that went like this: There was a rich man who sent his servant with chests of money to a remote place to build a glorious palace in the rich man’s name. When the servant got there all he saw was desperation, starvation, and dying, so he spent all the money on helping the people. Many days later the rich man came to see the servants work only to find no palace built but only a community living well. He raged at the servant, threw him in chains, and told him “Tomorrow you will die, for you have robbed me!” But that night the rich man had an amazing dream. In the dream There came a man in shining clothing, who said, “ Follow me.” Up they flew from earth till they came to heaven’s gate. They entered, and there stood a palace of pure gold, more brilliant than the sun! “ What palace is this?” asked the rich man. His guide answered, “This is the palace of Merciful Deeds, built for you by your wise servant. Its glory shall endure when all earth’s things have passed away.” Then the rich man understood that his servant had done wisely with his money.
If we are doing true and righteous work, we really don’t need to measure ourselves with visible results, but i think it’s almost more than most of us can stand to not have a need to see how we’re doing. i know it’s is easy to say “we don’t need to measure ourselves with visible results”, but it is the truth that everyone, somewhere in themselves wonders if they’re measuring up. i’ve had trouble with not having visible results. i mean, it can be difficult to continue doing what the Lord asked of you when people simply don’t respond, and reality is, generally, people don’t respond. Often not even to say “thank you”, or “that was right on the money”. You know, sometimes even a negative response lets you know someone is listening. Regardless, the ultimate position is to live without concerning ourselves with visible or audible results. In living a self denying life we should build no palaces on earth, we are building far more beautiful things beyond the skies. The money we give in service and sacrifice may add nothing to our bank account, but Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Whatever adds in even the smallest way to the brightness, comfort, or encouragement in the world around us is worthwhile. If we plant a flower in a bare place where it was only barren before, it is value added in the long run. Anyone who says an encouraging word to a discouraged neighbor, gives a look of kindness to a lonely person, or speaks a sentence which may become strength, guidance, or comfort, does something worthwhile. We never know how a small thing may become a beautiful thing to another person. i found an interesting little poem by James Allen:
“Only a thought, but the work it wrought
Could never by pen or tongue be taught;
For it ran through a life like a thread of gold,
And the life bore fruit a hundred fold.”
It was worthwhile for David to write the 23rd Psalm, and then the words went on to be spoken and sung everywhere to the end of time. We wouldn’t have the benefit of the words God gave him if he hadn’t allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire him to write it down. Where would we be today if he’d attached a monetary value to his writing, and upon seeing that he’d probably not make any money on it, he tossed it aside, and opted for something more sensational to the world of men.
It was worthwhile for Mary to break the alabaster box, pouring the nard, the thick paste of anointing on the head and feet of Jesus; don’t you know all the world is sweeter since the perfume of her ointment. If she had handed it over to Judas, as he probably secretly wished, he would have pocketed most of the money and we wouldn’t have the benefit of the event or metaphor.
Every singer who has sung a pure, righteous song has given something to the world around them to make it better. Every artist who has painted a worthy and Godly picture, or sculpted the smallest thing of beauty which will stay in the world, has added something to the enriching of our human life. Life is a summation, not just this event and that action, each independent of the other. No, it’s all important, and it all counts.
Every believer who has ever lived a true, courageous life in the thick of temptations and trials has, potentially, made it a little easier for others to live right. Every one who has prayed and spoken God’s heart into the stream of this world’s life, right words, good words, divine lessons, has put into the current of humanity a handful of spices to sweeten a little the bitter water for those troubled souls around them. It is always worthwhile to live with high character, it’s always worthwhile to struggle to do right, and in doing so we are showing the world even the smallest fragments of divine beauty. And oh how desperately we all are, ravenously hungry to see divine beauty, whether we believe it or not.
It is worthwhile to be a friend. We all may not take it too seriously considering the world has watered down the concept by social media calling people we don’t know and will never meet, friends. Nevertheless, extending ourselves to someone to be a friend is worthwhile. i’ve had a recent hard won realization that we can be a friend to someone even if there is no relationship. Jesus is a friend to us when we are no friend at all, although we’ve not entered into a relationship with Him. We think being a friend implies some sort of two-way street relationship, and that’s not necessarily true.
On being a friend: No other privilege is more a dedicated and sanctified purpose, no other responsibility is greater. John5:13-15 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
It is indeed worthwhile to be a friend. Being a friend comes into people’s lives with holiness and all the influences of holiness, and that influence never leaves them. When we are a friend to someone, something of the Lord Himself is imparted to them whether they know it or not. They are imprinted with something which will never depart from them. If you think you don’t make an impact anywhere, you are wrong.
Being a friend is to stand by others when things are beautiful and also in their hour of tears and need; to guide them when the way is so elusive and the footing is treacherous; to comfort them in their time of sorrow; to share our hearts when life is perplexing; to bring inspiration to them of righteous thinking and upward influences; and then to sit beside them when they are entering the valley of shadows, – no ministry on earth is holier and more devine than being a friend. It is a worthwhile thing.
i read something once by a poet who said that our life is a sheet of white paper on which each of us may write his words – and then comes night. What are we writing on the pages in front of us? i think it should be something that will bless those who read it. It should be something fit to carry into eternity. Think before you, metaphorically write on that page. Is it beautiful, is it peaceful, is it admirable, is it upright? It should be something which we would not be ashamed to hear again. Haven’t we all cringed when someone started their sentence with, “One time you said…”, and you think to yourself, “uh-oh, what did i say this time?” Whatever we write on that sheet of paper will appear in judgment, bearing our words, good or bad. It is well that we consider carefully what we say and do, trying with all our breathing, thinking, and feeling to only write things that are worthwhile, things that are right and true and pure and lovely, things that will last forever.
Is your life a life of things which are worthwhile? Think about it.
Thanks for joining us here at Outposts, a semi-live broadcast from the late evening banks of the Ockluhwahhah River. i’m Social Porter and this production was brought to you by Living In His Name Ministries, Sisters Coffee in Sisters, Oregon, Eunice Camp at Camps Flower Shop, Ed Sherman at C&S Super Market, the Mebane Freedom League, and Walt Whitaker, owner of the only two coin operated Launderama’s in town. Let’s not forget the makers of fine confectionaries, Trinity Bakers, where there’s always something good in the oven.
i hope you enjoyed the discussion of Things Which Are Worth While. Let me leave you with a thought from Philippians 4:8, ”Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—think on these things.”
Be strong and of good courage this week. Pray for your family and friends, and let God prosper you with all power. i’ll talk to you next time.