It is a symptom of slothfulness to not appreciate the good things you have.
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. (Proverbs 12:27)
The slothful let the precious things in their life go to waste.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (Proverbs 18:9)
Both appreciate and precious derive from the same Latin word pretium which means “price.”
appreciate > Latin – appretiat–
– To estimate or fix the monetary value of, set a price on; = appraise (Now historical and rare.) – To assess the worth, quality, etc., of; (also) to estimate the quantity or extent of
– To recognize as valuable or excellent; to find worth or excellence in; to esteem
– To be grateful for or appreciative of (kindness, a favour, etc.)
– To apprehend or understand clearly or correctly; to recognize or grasp the significance or subtleties of.
precious > Latin – pretiosus
– costly, expensive, valuable
– of great moral, spiritual, or other non-material value
– highly prized, beloved, held in high esteem
When we appreciate something we honor it. We count it as no small thing, but a great blessing. We recognize its value and are grateful for it.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:7)
10 PRECIOUS Things We Should Greatly APPRECIATE
1. The GOSPEL FAITH
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1)
The promises of the gospel are precious. They have the potential to make us like God, but they do us no good unless we recognize their value (i.e. appreciate them.)
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)
2. The BLOOD of CHRIST
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18,19)
3. CHRIST, the CORNERSTONE
Jesus is the “precious cornerstone” upon whom every godly life is built. The essential help for living He provides is unappreciated and rejected (i.e., “disallowed) by the mass of mankind. But to those who believe He is precious.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner (1 Peter 2:4-7)
4. A GODLY HERITAGE
It is no small thing to have been raised by parents who train us up in the way God would have us go.
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:5,6)
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:2,3)
Scripture admonishes those who have been brought up in the wisdom and ways of God to continue to appreciate, and not despise and abandon them as they grow older.
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. (Proverbs 23:19-23)
5. GOD’S CARE
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:17)
How excellent (i.e., precious) is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (Psalm 36:7)
6. GOD’S WISDOM
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (Proverbs 3:13-15)
Greater than any material assets we have are the wise people God has given us to be a resource to draw on.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. (Proverbs 20:15)
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. (Proverbs 10:20)
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12,13)
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. (Proverbs 20:5)
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels (Proverbs 1:5)
7. A MAN of UNDERSTANDING
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. (Proverbs 17:27)
excellent = precious + cool (from an unused root meaning to chill)
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. (Proverbs 14:29)
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. (Proverbs 17:28)
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. (Proverbs 10:23)
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. (Proverbs 15:21)
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. (Proverbs 11:12)
8. A PEACEFUL HOME
We should greatly appreciate peace in our homes. Dwelling together in unity is so precious that we should diligently pursue it.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Psalm 133:1-3)
9. A GOOD REPUTATION
A good reputation is more valuable and beloved than the costliest and sweetest ointment.
A good name is better than precious ointment … (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
David’s good reputation grew as word spread as to how wisely he behaved.
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by. (1 Samuel 18:30)
“much set by” = very precious
We benefit greatly when we wisely handle the issues in our life.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20)
A great reputation can be ruined by even a little folly.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation (i.e., precious) for wisdom and honour. (Ecclesiastes 10:1)
10. The TRIAL of OUR FAITH
What is precious is chosen. Trials involve pain and are not normally appreciated as valuable and rarely chosen. But they are the very means by which our life in God is proven genuine and the most precious things are added to us. God would not have us slothfully waste the situations through which we can mature and bring glory to Him.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:6-8)
trial > Gr. – dokimion > derived from Gr. adjective dokimos > a.) “tested in battle,” “reliable,” “trustworthy” b.) “a man who is tested, significant, recognized, esteemed, worthy c.) “an object which is tested, genuine, or valuable.” It is particularly used of metals.
Instead of focusing on what is absent from our life, God would have us appreciate and rejoice in the precious things we do have.
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk
3:17-19)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)