Thank you for the question on the value of the Bible, “What kind of advice can we find in the Bible?
As one reads the Bible as literature, one can find the following advices:
A. Advice on One’s Self Worth.
The person’s self worth is not based on one’s place of birth, performance, position or possessions. The self-worth is based on our humanity as human beings. Whether one is a Christian or not, that is a basic propositional truth for human beings. Christian believe that our self-worth comes from being created and having the image of God in them.
B. Advice on Friendship.
Being alone is not the same as loneliness. One can feel lonely in a room of people while one can feel fine even though one is alone. As human beings we crave companionship. That friendship include male and female companionship. The Bible states that there is a friend who is closer than a brother and there is no greater love than for one to give his love for his friend. If one finds such a friend who thinks more of you than oneself, one has found a true friend.
C. Advice on Marriage.
The most intimate friendship is marriage. Marriage is a total commitment to another person. It is built on love, respect, and trust. Marriage is not about getting from another person but in giving more to the other person. As each one gives to each other, one finds fulfillment of acceptance, respect and love.
Each person has needs and desires. The needs of one person can’t be fully met by another person for there are limits in what one can give. It takes a special kind of love, agape, that goes beyond the friendship love, philos. From a Christian perspective that fulfillment is met through a man and a woman in marriage.
D. Advice on Parenting.
Becoming a parent is a special gift even if one adopts a child. The child doesn’t belong to us as one’s possession, but loan to us for a season in the parent’s life. Parents are stewards, preparing the child for the purpose of his/her life, not the missed . Parents are not to exasperate their unique child, to frustrate their child but in helping that child develop their gifts and talents. It’s letting their child soar, not tied to the nest.
Parents are mentors or models for their son or daughter. Parents are to tread lightly since they are leaving an indelible footprint on one’s child. Don’t step on one’s child, but become a stepping stone for one’s child.
E. Advice on Employee-Employer.
Being an employee or being a manager, the manager is to seek the best for the employee and enabling him/her to develop to one’s potential. The manager wants to be treated as if s/he was an employee. The manager recognizes that there are upper managements that s/he has to give an account to for their work. Christians believe that whether one is an employee or employer, one has to give an account to God one day. That is the reason s/he is to do his best in whatever s/he does in this life.
F. Advice on Social Justice.
Living in a society, one desires justice when one rights are violated by others. Judges are called to apply the law equally to all regardless of the person’s status in life. There is to be no favoritism. The law is to be apply equally to all.
The social justice for deterrence is that what crime perpetrated on another person that same punishment falls on that person. The criminal doesn’t receive a lesser sentence. In terms of thief of property, there is compensation for the loss or destroyed property by that person. If that person doesn’t have the funds to repay the debt, then he is compelled to labor to restore the other party. It’s not suing for enormous amount or receiving nothing for one’s loss.
The Bible is a practical book for the Jewish people as to how they are to live with each other in a theocracy. As we live in a republic, the civil ruler with its representatives must decide the laws that is to be applied equally to all.
SUMMARY: The foundation of civilization is founded on respect for all, actions done for the betterment of others and for society, and a belief in an accountability. For Christians the ultimate accountability is to God.