So read the billboard beside the busy freeway. The sign expressed in catchy phrases the main goal of the American public education system— success!

Soon a new school year will begin for millions of young people across the land. One wonders what thoughts might be racing through their minds as they set foot in the classroom.

Perhaps they wonder, “What am I here for? What will the future hold? Will all this study really bring me success? Will I get a job making plenty of money after high school or college?”

Studies made by psychologists and pollsters indicate that what many people want most in life is a money-making job, a home, a little “nest egg” for retirement—in short, financial success and security.

But is financial success really the most important thing in life? Should it be tops on the list of life’s priorities? Does it really give life meaning?

Some seem to think so. They assume that education can solve almost all of the world’s problems. Modern philosophy says we must educate people—then, somehow, war, poverty, hatred, and greed will melt away!

When I was in high school, many years ago, you just weren’t “with it” unless you were out to get all the education you could. High school students were expected to go on to college. Today, we have a superabundance of highly educated people, many with a long string of degrees behind their names. But, are our problems well on the way to being solved? Obviously not! War, crime, government corruption, drug addiction, and immorality are all on the increase. The world seems headed toward chaos, not some bright, man-contrived utopia. The Bible speaks of a time when people will say, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11).

Somebody’s priorities aren’t straight. Somebody has missed the real values in life. Education hasn’t been the cure-all for our social ills.

A successful businessman lay dying of cancer. His wife stood beside him, tenderly wiping the sweat from his fever-wracked forehead. His face was contorted in pain. His cries of pain and despair echoed down the long hospital corridors.

You see, he had given all his life to pursue education and a successful career. He neglected his children and was unfaithful to his wife for years. His god was the “almighty dollar.”

Now his “success” no longer mattered. Death stared him in the face. Life had nothing more to offer. He had missed the mark. He discovered, too late, that something other than his success-drive should have had top priority in his life.

He had sought happiness in the wrong things— things that could bring him no peace of mind. He searched for real meaning in life, but did not find the real key to attaining it.

The Bible says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [the necessities of life and happiness too!] shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

God must be the object of our search for true happiness and true wisdom. Success only comes through seeking to serve Him above all personal ambitions.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Your whole life, education included, must be turned over to Christ to be used for His glory. If God’s service and glory is not the center and first purpose of your life, then you’re missing the mark.

All your learning must be centered on the Source of all true knowledge. Take time to study the Bible to find God’s way of success through submission to His Son Jesus Christ. As you surrender to Christ, consider ways of using your education to better prepare yourself to work for Him and for His kingdom. As helpful as some education can be, all will be lost if you do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life.

Make “first things first” your motto. Give Christ top priority in your future. You will never be sorry.

Roger Berry

The fellow no doubt intended to be funny. He came across with a pathetic philosophy that has permeated our world. “Have no fun” is the pleasure-centered, ego-centered notion of millions when they consider the Christian life and its high moral standards.

The crowd typically mocks the Christian as a sour-faced do-gooder who spoils all the “fun.” Some of their mockery comes from misunderstanding the Christian life and some comes from the way worldlings have seen some Christians live.

Common misconceptions about the Christian life include the following: Christians are burdened down by a list of dos and don’ts; Christians are unhappy and do not enjoy life; Christians are superstitious; Christians don’t have much to live for.

It is true the Bible says little about merrymaking, joking, feasting, and drinking except when describing the actions of the wicked. But then these are not the only ways to enjoy life. The Bible paints an entirely different picture of the joyful Christian life.

Joy is the word most often used in the Bible to describe the delight the godly can experience in daily living. Christian joy is more than mere happiness or having fun which must always depend on favorable or happy circumstances. Joy can exist even in times of sorrow. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Fun is short-lived. Joy endures. Our Lord cares for our needs “in shine and shade.”

“Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice . . . because thou defendest them” (Psalm 5:11).

The New Testament also repeats the theme of joy in spite of suffering. “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy . . . and your joy no man taketh from you . . . . Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace” (John 16:20b, 22b, 24, 33).

This Biblical view of life is totally realistic. The world around us offers pleasures aplenty, but these things do not give joy and peace in times of trouble, sickness, and death. God offers joyful living in the face of life’s realities. It is our job, by word and action, to help the world realize this abiding joy.

“Fun” will not last very long. It runs out with the loss of money, popularity, or health. Christian joy will outlast life itself. “The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment” (Job 20:5). “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Why doesn’t the world believe the joy found in Christian living? Part of the reason is spiritual blindness and willing ignorance. The Bible says: “In the last days scoffers . . . willingly are ignorant . . . that by the word of God the heavens were of old.” They will not believe the Bible.

Perhaps we cannot do too much about this willing ignorance, but those of us who profess to be Christians can do something about another reason for disbelief. Many do not believe because of professing Christians. Perhaps an unbeliever met a “Christian” who cursed or lied or told dirty jokes. Perhaps he knew a “Christian” who looked miserable or who complained about a “strict” church or old-fashioned parents. He logically concludes that if Christians are unhappy or if Christianity does not change a person’s life, then it is of little value.

Think about how your life must look to others. Can they see a joyful experience? Do you know the joy of the Lord as your strength? Do others see that the Gospel really works? Will your life point others to Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life?

If you cannot honestly answer “yes” to these questions, you are not right with God. Confess your sin, turn to the God of peace, claim the power of the Holy Spirit to live a vibrant Christian life. Ask God for the “want to” to live a consistent, transformed Christian life. The Spirit will lead you into God’s way of trut.

-Roger Berry

Some ridiculed this act, claiming the music really isn’t the problem. But at least these young people realized the evil associations of rock music. Today’s music scene is more wild and suggestive than ever.

The music revolution of today is reminiscent of a musical “event” described in God’s Word. Three young Jews were determined to obey God, no matter what. The pagan ruler of their land built a golden image to be worshiped. A grand musical concert signaled the time to bow down and worship. The Jews refused. The king was infuriated. He staged a repeat performance. (You can read about this in the Bible in Daniel 3.)

“Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?”

Today, as in those days, some twenty-five hundred years ago, music is being used to influence people. This time the golden image is not a statue of a king. With their music, many are bowing down to the gods of our society. The sounds of rock, country music, and of some church music symbolize conformity to the standards of society or its dissidents rather than conformity to God’s Word. The popular music of our day is associated with much that is evil including political protest. The revolution in music has been part of the youth revolt against society and its standards. Admittedly, much of society is rotten and its standards and values are warped. Instead of turning to serve Christ and to promote Christian values, people are protesting and trying to force change apart from personal transformation in Jesus Christ. Today’s liberation movements stress freedom of expression and of social protest. The Christian’s motive for being “different” from the world is to glorify Christ. The lyrics of some rock songs advocate experimentation with drugs. Sometimes rock singers openly advocate drug abuse. The music may not be what makes them take drugs, but the association is too close for the Christian to risk involvement.

Immorality. The music-burning young people mentioned earlier recognized a connection between the music of our age and immorality. Whether or not the musical beat “makes them do it,” the evil associations are clear—the animalistic movements, the oft suggestive words, the beat, the people who perform it, are all questionable.

Along with “liberated” music has come “liberated” dress. Young people (and some older ones too) were quick to copy the immodest clothing of rock music groups. At least part of the reason for tight (or even very loose) jeans, open shirts, long hair (or shaved heads), miniskirts, and short-shorts has been protest against authority. Immodesty is a key contributor to the immorality often associated with the music of today.

Now that I have pointed out dangers in rock music, you are no doubt wondering what kind of music I would say we should have. The first criterion involves the message of the lyrics. Music we sing and listen to should contain character-building, God-centered lyrics. This would eliminate rock and country music immediately. A second criterion is the beat. Certainly the beat should not overshadow the message. A good question to ask of the tempo and beat of music we use is: “Will this tempo and beat glorify God, encouraging people to do what is right?”

Careful consideration and prayer are essential in choosing music today with all its varieties. If, after prayer, you are still not sure about the lyrics or the beat, the safest route is to abstain and replace it with good, solid hymn music that praises God. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

The pressures are great to give in to the music of the age and to bow down to the standards of an ungodly world. May we not fall down when we “hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music.”

-Roger Berry

The crane asked for the promised reward, but the fox grinned wickedly and replied: “Be content. You have put your head into a fox’s mouth and taken it out again safely. That ought to be reward enough for you.” The moral of the story is, “Gratitude and greed do not go together.”

The fox certainly pictures the person who is continually grasping for things, perhaps making a show of gratitude or thankfulness, then continuing in ungratefulness.

How many young people have you met who were like the fox? They were only too happy to ask for help when they had a desperate need. However, when you helped them they showed little or no gratitude. You felt used and unappreciated.

What Is Greed?

In the Bible, “greed” is often called covetousness. The English word comes from a Latin word meaning cupidity or desire. People want what they want, when they want it, in whatever way they can get it. They will run over other people and disrespect them in their greedy quest for what they want.

Covetousness or greed involves many areas of life. People are greedy for material possessions and money. They may cheat, lie, steal, and even murder to get the things they want. When they get it, they repeat the vicious cycle to get even more. Greed often controls sexual desire. People will do whatever they can to fulfill their desires, even if it means ruining another’s marriage to get it or using another person only to hate and discard that person after they have what they want. The Bible often links greed and immorality together and condemns them. “No whoremonger [immoral person], nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).

What is the Solution to Greed?

We must beware that we be not guilty of greed and ingratitude as was the fox. Greed is sin and rebellion against God and against other people. Fleeing from greed and ingratitude will dramatically improve our relationship with other people and, most of all, with God. Taking God’s way will bring us peace and satisfaction and will give us purpose for living. Greed will be replaced by respect and appreciation for others and thankfulness to God for changing our lives. Greed will be replaced by generosity and gratitude that reach out to help others and please God.

Genuine gratitude and greed cannot exist side by side in one person. Gratitude can come only from a heart and mind that is changed and rooted in the things of God. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1, 2).

May we not join the masses around us who live in greed and selfishness. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Roger Berry

Of course any enlightened observer could see that the supposed new revelations of the liberal theologians was nothing more than the old agnosticism (that God cannot be known if He does exist) or outright atheism. Of course some who parroted the God-is-dead theology tried to deny that they were saying that God does not exist at all. Rather, they would say that our old ideas about God are dead.

The God-is-dead movement was the logical conclusion of liberal theology as well as the logical end of the way many people were living. After all, many people in the ’60s (and now, for that matter) lived as though God did not exist. It is but a short step from living like an atheist to talking like an atheist to being an atheist. Many young people as well as older people live for the material things of life and to have a good time. They may profess to believe in the existence of God, but they seldom think about God, much less worship Him or honor Him with their lives.

The God-is-dead movement seemed to pass away by the early 1970s. At least we no longer hear many references to it. The deistic, agnostic, and even atheistic ideas continue to abound, however.

In the 1990s the emphasis was on reinterpreting the Bible rather than outright denying it. It is popular to twist and manipulate the Bible to approve of about every sin it condemns. Some time ago, the Bible was reinterpreted to approve of divorce and remarriage by most religious groups. The “new” interpretation twisting is being applied to homosexuality, the ordination of women, the use of “she” in referring to God, and whatever the current theological hobbyhorse happens to be. In the first decade of the twenty-first century, the emphasis in many religious circles is on the “positive.” Words such as “sin” and “Hell” are hardly heard anymore. The emphasis is on a religion that makes people feel good about themselves. The teachings are more man-centered than God-centered.

The end result is a pall of doubt cast over the Word of God and over God Himself. Will the generation that seeks to reinterpret what God has to say give rise to another generation that will throw it all away and not even profess Christianity? Time will tell.

The liberal Bible-denying, even God-denying, philosophies of this world certainly are dead, devoid of spiritual nourishment and hope. Their idea of a fickle, fluctuating God who tolerates sin is dead as well. It is dead in God’s sight.

But the true God of creation and His infallible Word, the Bible, are not dead. May we follow that way of truth. The psalmist reminds us: “From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Likewise the unchanging, unchangeable Word of God is everlasting. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

Our God is very much alive today and in control of the world He created. He calls us to heed His call and obey His laws. He is waiting to give us true satisfaction in life. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).

-by Roger Berry