Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness. Eccl. 2:13, 14.

We must educate the mind to see and hear. Unfortunately there are things that men do not want to see or hear. They are conveniently blind and deaf to the truth. It happens to all of us at times. God's voice and truth interfere with what we really want to do. We find it inconvenient to listen to God.

The rich fool in the Gospel of Luke who decided to build bigger barns to hold his produce was no fool as a farmer. He was a success. But he took an irresponsible attitude toward eternal values in favor of material things. No man ought to do that.

Nothing has real value until you enjoy it with Christ. Spiritual priorities alone are lasting. Without Christ, worldly pleasures and riches are phantoms. Stock market speculations exist only on paper. Lasting values and true meaning belong to him who loves Christ more than anything else. When it comes to serving Him, there are no "if's." All is eternally real. Christ offers no mocking crown, no shaky bank account. We share in the riches of our resurrected and glorified Lord, under whose feet all things are put in subjection.

The voice of God in His Word is clear and unmistakable. God makes the frequent charge against Israel: "You refused to obey my voice." Nothing more could be done. Not even Christ or the Holy Spirit can possess the mind and direct the life without our cooperation.

Scientific evidence has recently pointed out the relation of cigarette stroking to lung cancer. Thousands have broken the habit. But thousands more go on smoking in the face of the facts. Doubtless many of them will die of lung cancer. The truth on smoking as being the cause of cancer is not responsible for cancer. People have heard the truth. They are responsible. The verdict will agree with their choice.

The truth and claims of God are rationally sound, vital to life, eternally sure. The call is to live responsibly. But a man must make up his mind. There is no neutral ground.