What Really Matters
The Bulletin, 2/18/26
These articles are written to encourage Christians, and to be used by churches for their weekly bulletin. All I ask is that credit is given with my name and the web address, bible101.substack.com
To paraphrase Jesus for the modern parent:
- What shall it profit a man if he should win Super Bowl MVP and lose his soul?
- What shall it profit a man if he should get his PhD and lose his soul?
- What shall it profit a man if he should be the coolest kid in school and lose his soul?
- What shall it profit a man if he should make a million dollars and lose his soul?
Children are not dumb. They easily learn what matters in life from the choices dad and mom make. Too many have been taught that Christianity is a secondary priority. Sports win out over worship. Math homework is mandatory; spiritual activities are “if we can get around to it.”
They know their parents really want them to be good at sports, or to get into a good school. They also know that their parents would prefer that they stay in the church after leaving home. Those priorities lead to predictable outcomes in many cases. If they don’t learn that “Have no other gods before Me” really means “Have no other gods before Me,” then guess what? They’re going to put other gods before Him.
This doesn’t mean we have to live like monks, disavowing all pursuits outside of Bible reading, prayer, and worship. Achievements and recreational activities are blessings from God and should be enjoyed with gratitude—so long as we keep them in the proper place.
If we live a life in service to these things, or teach our children to do the same, we will have made the worst trade a human can ever make. Make sure to regularly make it clear to your family that nothing matters more than their walks with God. There is no success without spiritual success.