All I Really Need to Know I Learned From The Bible

Life can get complicated. Very complicated.

The overload of information available to us is staggering. I simply typed wisdom into my search engine for the World Wide Web. There are 108,000,000 sites where I can go to learn more about wisdom.

I used to think an encyclopedia was overwhelming. Thought it was the standard of what any educated person needed to know. Mine has twenty-one volumes and an index. It all fits on one shelf.

I once read about a man who read the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica. A to Z. It was his hobby. I thought now here’s a worthy endeavor. I’ll read through the series. No rush. Might take me several years, but think of what a hit I’d be at pot lucks!

“Gee, I don’t know, but let’s go ask Dennis. You know, he’s read the whole encyclopedia.”

I got through about a third of the A’s. As my middle child says when confronted of the idea of learning for fun. “Too much information.” It was interesting, certainly that was true. But just how much does a person really need to know? Let me tell you. Not that much!

Information can come from a variety of sources. Text books contain a lot of information. The World Wide Web holds all of the information. There are sources that have more wisdom than information. The great writings of Walt Whitman, Saint Francis of Assisi, Socrates, and Peanuts are rich in wisdom.

The Bible has wisdom. Lots of it. It’s somewhat unique in it’s construction. Took over 1600 years to write it, over forty different authors, written in three different languages, over three continents, by people from every kind of occupation you could imagine. There were a couple of kings, a few slaves, a shepherd, a fishermen, a doctor, an IRS agent, and even a tent maker. Yet they all sing the same song. Amazing.

I’ve read most of it by now. Some parts of it over and over and over.

I’m saving Leviticus until they make it into a movie. Don’t laugh, they’ve done Exodus, Judges, John, Mark, Luke, parts of Acts. They even made musicals about Joseph and the Gospel of Matthew. Trust me, Leviticus is coming.

The Bible; aka The Good Book is simple, you know. Practical. Something you can use everyday of your life. It seems to be unaffected by changing fashion, the stock market, Star Wars, or opinions. It’s full of stories that teach us how to live simply in a complicated world.

Simple stories and ideas that tell us all we really need to know about living. About happiness. About giving. About joy. About getting along. About making a difference.

They’re all there. I know. I made a list.

Adam – Obey the rules.  Someone might be watching.

Cain and Abel – Learn to play nice with your brothers and sisters.

Noah – Check the weather. Be prepared if it looks like rain

Moses – Be careful not to lose your temper. Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Nebuchadnezzar – Take care not to ignore your dreams.

Joseph (the one with the coat) – Always do your very best, wherever you are.

David – God is always there with you, even when the odds don’t look so good

Daniel – Always keep the courage of your convictions.

The Psalms – Take time to be alone and reflect.

Mary – Sometimes the things we don’t understand can turn out in the most wonderful way.

John and Andrew – Fishing is okay, but the hearts and souls of people is where it’s at.

Martha – Don’t work too much or you’ll miss too many special moments.

Peter – Failure is never final.

Paul – Follow your dreams, travel a little bit, and write letters to people you love.

Judas – Don’t betray your friends.

Jesus – When all else fails, show love and give all that you have.

The Bible. That old, wonderful, timeless collection of truth. Kind of your One Stop for Wisdom kind of book.

Not 108,000,000 sources.

Just one.

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