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Basic Knowledge Everyone Needs

"Why, when we're so much better educated, do we know so little?"—Simon Heffer

American professor E.D. Hirsch Jr. grasped the essential nature of our knowledge problem. He commented, in the preface of his book Cultural Literacy: "To be culturally literate is to possess the basic information needed to thrive in the modern world."

Beyond the basic material knowledge we need for survival, each of us needs spiritual understanding and insight into that special knowledge revealed only by God Himself. Without a substantial spiritual foundation, our basic natural understanding will always fall short of showing us how to live fulfilled, truly abundant lives in the here and now—not to mention the incomparable prospect of everlasting life in the Kingdom of God!

Acquisition of knowledge is automatic with human beings. It is a function of our five senses. The core of the problem is whether our acquired learning fits into the framework revealed by God.

How should we evaluate our human achievements? What is God's perspective?"

Thus says the LORD, 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches'" (Jeremiah 9:23).

Lest this be misunderstood, God is not against our having wisdom or riches. The Bible tells the story of many righteous people who were wise and wealthy. But they had—and the point made here is that we also should have—higher standards than merely intellectual or material ones.

On the other hand, what does God commend people for?

"'But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD" (verse 24).

To know God: This is the much-needed knowledge the world rejects. It has its origins in real humility. Only humble men and women can look beyond themselves to grasp the values God reveals.

What did Jesus Christ tell His disciples about the value of spiritual knowledge?

"But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and hear what you hear, and did not hear it" (Matthew 13:16-17).

Knowing God's Word is priceless knowledge! It is the true foundation for understanding all other knowledge and counteracts the false information we see about us.