For example, one young man’s parents allowed him to travel to Europe to attend university. Did his attendance there lead to his having financial security, or raise the status of his family back at home? No. At the urging of his new “friends” at the university, he took drugs and died of an overdose. Another young African went to a university in the United States. He was brought home with suspected brain damage, from drugs and alcohol. What a price the parents of these young men paid!

Other Christian parents have also paid heavily. A young man enrolled in a university in his own country, but far from home. He stopped associating with fellow Christians and ceased to serve Jehovah. All the things he had learned “from infancy” left him, and now he even questions the teachings of the Bible.

Unfortunately, this young man is not alone. There are others who were brought up to serve God who are now evolutionists, atheists and critics of Biblical truth. Is this because the Bible is wrong and modern philosophy is right? Not at all. It is because they were subjected to a constant onslaught of ungodly ideas at college while separated from other Christians. As a result their faith weakened and finally died. The sad thing is, they were often put in that situation by their parents.

“Bad associations spoil useful habits,” said the apostle Paul. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Some of the worst associations possible for a Christian​—spiritually and morally speaking—​have been found on university campuses. The above experiences show what can happen when inexperienced young people, away from their families, are thrown into an environment of immorality, drug or alcohol abuse, perversion, and rebellious political ideas. Is increased family prestige or the possibility of a better-paying job worth the price that might be paid?

The apostle Paul warned: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin.” (1 Timothy 6:9) Jesus also warned: “You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” (Matthew 6:24) Do you not agree that one reason so many university students lose their faith is that many of them are ‘slaving for Riches,’ or are “determined to be rich”? Failing to take to heart Bible counsel on their attitude toward material possessions, they make themselves vulnerable to other faith-destroying ideas and conduct.