Name Your Values, and Then Live By Them

In review of Hebrews 11:26 it says, “[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26 NIV).

Bottom Line:

Better to suffer for Christ than to obtain any treasures of this world.

What this means to me:

When I truly consider it, it is better to suffer for the sake of Christ as a greater value than any treasures of this world. It’s better to look ahead to a greater reward.

Today's verse comes from Hebrews chapter 11 where we are given several great examples of faith. In this case, it was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Rather he chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. Furthermore It was faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

This reminds me that first I must choose to be who God wants me to be. Secondly I need to choose short-term pain for longer-term gains.  Based on the example of Moses, he also made a third life-shaping resolution: He chose God’s values, not the world’s. And God used him!

Hebrews 11:26 says, “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (NIV).

Moses made a value judgment. He clarified what mattered most to him.  So I think I need to ask myself What matters most in my life? What are my top three or four values? Can I easily name them?  As I consider this, three come to mind... integrity, humility and service.

Identifying and clarifying my values is important to me living them out.

In this verse, Moses chose God’s values over the world’s values, which is extremely important. If I didn’t decide what was important to me, then others will decide for me.  They will push me into their mold.  There is an importance to narrowing down and deciding what values to live for.