Now there is a really dumb idea! In this age of "latch-key" children in which the parenting of small children is often left to the hired help, the concept of shifting the burden of child care to others is very popular.

I was reading the comics today (not as much fun as it was when I was a kid, to be sure, but still a pleasant diversion in the morning) and one of the comic strips caught my eye.

"What's the use? Life is futile, nothing will turn out right." This really is a dumb and very sad idea. Many people have this approach to life and are overcome with a feeling of hopelessness and futility. And, this is not a new phenomenon.

This dumb idea was a very popular campaign slogan a few years ago, and it is a commonly held belief today. In our consumer-based economic system, which runs on credit or borrowed money, the general state of the economy is important for the well-being of its citizens.

But, when this is the case, the emphasis is all wrong and our collective sense of values goes awry, resulting in spiraling personal debt and a materialistic, short-term mentality. Look around you and see if this does not describe the current situation in much of the developed world today.

What is this dumb idea all about? It has become so pervasive that it impacts all levels of our society and impedes our communication with others. What is the point? Why has this worthless concept and practice become so prevalent?

Does The Bible address such "modern" concepts? Actually, God's Word gives very specific instruction on the motives that drive this dumb idea.