Whose Dog is Dummer?

I heard recently that dogs were getting dumber. A study carried out by researchers from Stockholm University has found that pedigree dogs are becoming less intelligent. According to researchers this is likely because they are being bred for looks rather for their work ability and strength. More dogs are bred now for looks or personality and fewer for intelligence. Of course, the dumber your dog the more dependent he is on you.

This recent news made me think about our tendency to depend on others, particularly government agencies to solve our problems or soothe our pains. We have come to expect various government sponsored agencies to take care of us when we are elderly, handicapped, unemployed, sick, bankrupt, or victims of natural disaster. (You realize this type of listing could go on and on.) We have become so dependent we can no longer solve our own problems. The dependence on government has grown large. Independence and intelligence are being bred out of us. The mindset becomes, "Why should I accept responsibility? Surely, there is a government program that can take care of me."

I know it is sometimes nice to have someone to take care of you. Every one of us needs a helping hand from time to time. However, eventually the big government sponsored caretaker in going to reach its limit. What will we do then? I guess we could whine until our bowl is filled with clean fresh water, pant until we are allowed to go outside to take care of our business, and yelp until someone throws us a bone. Yes, that is sarcastic and harsh, but if trends continue can we expect different?

The solution has been around forever. "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Matthew 6:32b & 33 from the New Living Translation)