Highly Important

TITLE: Highly Important
DATE:  September 14, 2019
TEXT:  Matthew 6:33  - ESV - 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Way back in 1964, one of America’ new, socially-conscious troubadours, Bob Dylan, wrote about how “The Times Are a-Changin’.”

A few weeks ago the Wall Street Journal and NBC News made public the results of a new poll which they had taken. Based on the questions from a survey taken 21 years ago it was designed to measure just how much the things which are “very important” to America have changed in the last two decades.

Now the first thing which needs to be said is: not everything has changed. Most things have, but not everything. For example, one thing which has not changed is the importance of hard work. Two-decades ago hard work was the most important thing to us, with 83% of us saying it was very important. Today, 89% of those polled have said hard work remains as a very high priority for them.

So, by now, you probably would like a look at some of the winners and the losers. Nothing is easier:
LOSERS

• Is Patriotism very important? Patriotism dropped nine points from 1998 to 2018. (70%/61%)
• Is Religion very important? Religion lost 14 percentage points from 1998. (62% to 48%)
• Is Having Children very important? It dropped 16% in two decades (59% to 43%))
  

WINNERS

• Is having Money very important? It is. Cash picked up 10 points in two decades (Up from 31% to 41%)
  
• Is Community involvement very important It is. It’s up a big 15 points. (47% to 62%)
  

Now if that sounds a bit discouraging to you, I’ll give you two more facts.

1. There is an age divide in the answers,. Tomorrow’s America will be far less concerned about Patriotism, Religion and Children.
2. In America it’s the younger generation which sets direction.
   

All of which made me wonder Is there a common denominator in all these swings. It occurs to me there is. Things which are tangible and touchable; things which are of the present are more important to the younger group. For more and more people philosophical’ things which are for tomorrow and eternity are not as important as the here, the now, the touchable.
Which might be fine as long as they don’t forget Jesus’ warning, Matthew Matthew 6:33 English Standard Version (ESV) - 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The Lord Who sent His Son to save us, doesn’t want us to forget all He has done to rescue us for eternity. Which is why His priority should also be ours. I

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant Your will and ways may be mine. In Jesus Name I ask it. Amen

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles . For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://www.newser.com/story/279615/values-seen-as-important-to-americans-are-changing.html?utm_source=share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=defand the article written by .Editors of Newser and Wire Services
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html