Homeless Value System
A value system is a person’s set of ideals. What is held in respect and honor – those things that are good and important & desirable. Like self-discipline, knowledge, work, money management, and faith. But there have always been folks who are homeless or headed in that direction. So, what is their “Value System”?
A “Homeless Value system” will typically not have the self-discipline element. Time is not valued and is wasted. Priorities are out of order which causes more time to be wasted, see “Obsessions” link 61. Gaining knowledge is not important here, neither is schooling since many homeless are unteachable. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; . . .” Work is low in the value system along with accountability & responsibility. And excuses are numerous why work is impossible. Money management is VERY difficult due to the compromised earning power (as per above), AND bad habits which cling tightly such as alcohol, drugs, other vices, etc. There will not be much faith in a Homeless Value System because typical stabilizing influences like family, teachers, priest/minister, Bible, etc. are not important or just outright despised.
In addition to the above distorted values, it seems that the H.V.S. encourages “eating” persons close by such as parents, children, close friends, relatives, etc. A case of note is a young man who rubbed his wealthy stepfather the wrong way for several years. In another case the only son at age 50 or so pulled a shotgun on his father & sisters to show just who was “the big one” in the family. Both cases ended up excluded from the will where substantial inheritance was distributed. And the typical H.V.S. outcome may not be as extreme, but homeless values do cause folks to gravitate down to a sad “picture”. A “Homeless Value System” can be seen as a lifestyle of cultivating “BAD LUCK”. But there is good news – God’s salvation & blessing is REAL and can be seen as a lifestyle of cultivating “GOOD LUCK”.
Now the Gospel means GOOD NEWS. Christ’s salvation puts sin behind us, and regenerates our mind so we can look up & receive good things from above. Then Christ’s touch brings access to a new power – “to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power . . .” John 1:12 It also brings order & structure into our lives. Salvation brings more healthy influences. Preaching & fellowship with like-minded souls promotes a new orientation of values. And the Gospel means affiliation with Divine things. Such as Presence 73, Healing 132, Guidance 143, & Priorities 156 – all of which dissolve the Homeless Value System, and replace it with direction, purpose, and HOPE. We not only have a much better chance of being successful & “home-ful”, (links 83 & 106), but salvation also gives a premium “home” in eternity.
-- “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.” Proverbs 28:19
-- “He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 16:20
-- “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, . . . Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21
-- “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33
-- “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
For a winning morning prayer each day try this one, - “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner, and help me to redeem the time today.” That is Choosing Jesus and His Value System, which are Alive. They grease the gears of life and promote a whole gang of premium benefits (“What’s In It For Me” link 28). Prosperity is quite often a part of it.
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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