Core Values
Before you set your goals, discover your God-ordained purpose. Otherwise you could finish up somewhere you shouldn’t be, or succeed at something God never called you to do. Or worse, your talent could carry you to heights, at which your character can’t sustain you. Until you know, and can clearly state the core values of your life, your decisions will be based on what’s convenient, what’s cheap and what’s self-serving. Refuse to live that way!
Marshall Field once offered the following 12 principles for determining life’s core values. If you’re having difficulty determining yours, read these principles, focusing carefully on each one. He writes, “We need to understand: (1) The brevity of time. (2) The power of perseverance. (3) The rewards of hard work. (4) The importance of simplicity. (5) The worth of character. (6) The fruits of kindness. (7) The power of example. (8) The call of duty. (9) The value of economy. (10) The virtue of patience. (11) The development of talent. (12) The joy of creativity.
Can you state your core values? If not, take a moment and consider these words: “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive” (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV).
Source: http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php