God's Family Values

Family values are the social and moral standards demanded within the home. If you’ve ever heard a father or mother say, “As long as you live under my roof you will…” or “In this family we don’t…” then you understand something of family values. What about in the house of God? Please understand, we aren’t referring to the church building. The house of God is the family of God, made up of believers (Eph 2:19-22; 1 Tim 3:15). So, what standards are demanded among the Lord’s faithful? What are God’s family values? We see many of them detailed for us in Psalm 15.

The first verse of Psalm 15 asks our question, “Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle?” It is important to note ownership here. It is God’s holy hill, God’s tabernacle, God’s family. We should never rob God of that authority by implementing our own criteria. The terms of entrance and behavioral requirements will come from God! Thus, we will look to God’s word to learn of His family values.

The second verse begins to answer the question. It is required that one walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. Do we value doing the right thing? We behave like our Lord when we go about doing good (Acts 10:38). We were created in Christ to be zealous for good works (Eph 2:10; Tit 2:14; 3:8). In God’s family we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Mic 6:8).

The third verse of Psalm 15 continues the idea, showing it is required that one would not backbite with his tongue. Doing evil to a neighbor and taking up a reproach against a friend are also forbidden. The term backbite describes slanderous speech and tale bearing. We should not speak evil of our neighbor or take joy in divisive words and gossip. If we are not careful, we can do much harm with our tongues. Scripture describes this little member as a fire, a world of iniquity, and a generator of strife (Prov 26:20; Jam 3:1-12). God warns us against talebearers for they reveal secret things (Prov 11:13; 18:8; 20:19).

The fourth verse reveals how it is required that one would judge righteously and be true to his word. Fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). This sort of person should be valued. A vile person is one that chooses wickedness and is “unto every good work reprobate” (Tit 1:16). This sort should be avoided (Rom 16:17; 2 Tim 3:5). We also keep a watch on ourselves, that we would continue doing good. Sometimes this requires that we sacrifice and suffer for righteousness sake. Understand when it comes to good and evil, a man will reap what he sows, and we have a commitment to Christ (Gal 6:7-8; 2 Tim 1:12).

The fifth and final verse of Psalm 15 tells us it is required that one would choose compassion over greed. The love of money is a root of every sort of evil (1 Tim 6:10). We should never allow materialism to corrupt us. Acknowledging this truth, God’s family is motivated by love and not a desire to acquire all our neighbor’s goods (Matt 22:39; Luke 12:15; Heb 13:5). May we always remember this teaching and conduct ourselves in a manner befitting the gospel of Christ (Eph 4:1-3; Php 1:27) Let’s all remember God’s family values!