Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Proverbs 22:1-6 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
Recently, the Wall Street Journal and the University of Chicago National Opinion Research Center published the results of their 2023 survey on American values, beliefs, and priorities. The results were saddening if not shocking:
The survey finds that the prioritization of the essential and foundational elements of our society have plummeted in the last 25 years. Patriotism is considered very important by only 38% of the population, down from 70% in 1998. Religion is considered very important by only 39% of the population, down from 62% in 1998. The results were worst among those under 30 years old, with patriotism considered very important by only 23% of that population group and religion considered very important by only 31% of that same demographic. The statistics for the prioritization of having children and community involvement have followed these same dismal trends.
Money, however, increased in its prioritization among our American population, rising sharply from 31% in 1998 to 43% today. Especially for the under 30 age group, money is considered more important than patriotism, religion, community involvement, and having children.
As we pray for our nation and share our faith with others, we must realize that our population is seeking after those things that will never satisfy. We, however, do have the answer for them, and it isn’t religion, but a relationship with Christ. And, we also offer an order of prioritization that provides permanent fulfillment instead of perpetual vanity – a love of God and a love of others.
As we consider the statistics of this survey, we must also realize the preeminent importance of properly training up the children of our land. We must start by carefully doing so within our families and within our churches. Yet, it must not end there, because the pathway for our future will be determined by the values, beliefs, and priorities of the next generation.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO SHARE BIBLICAL TRUTHS THAT WILL PROVIDE PERMANENT FULFILLMENT TO OUR NEEDY SOCIETY WHILE EMPHASIZING OUR CRITICAL ROLE IN TRAINING UP THE CHILDREN OF OUR LAND. Everything else will lead to perpetual vanity.
