Rejoice Always!
The Rant
(Feel free to E-mail me and let me know what you think!)
Problem: The entertainment industry would have us believe that if we want to have a good life, we should strive to be rich, famous and that purchasing happiness is possible.
Response: Consider for a minute what this belief system would have us pursue. We should do anything to gain worldly riches and we should strive to make ourselves great in the eyes of men, we also should assume that the more we have the more happy we will be. I would start off by saying that God doesn't want anyone to just be poor and have nothing and that being a real Christian means having nothing. In fact just the opposite. Look at Solomon. One of the greatest figures in the Bible and he was faithful to God and he was told that he could ask God for one thing. Solomon didn't ask to become rich and famous, nor did he ask to be well liked and well known by everyone. Instead he asked for wisdom. God was so pleased with Solomon's request of wisdom and not for riches and power that He (God) granted Solomon all of the above. He was wise, rich and powerful. It could be argued that Solomon knew more wealth and prosperity then anyone in Hollywood today. Also consider what the Psalmist says:
"A little that a righteous man hath is better then the riches of many wicked." Psalms 37:16 KJV
This would seem to be pretty clear that being righteous is valued by God greater then being rich. So for those in Hollywood that would dress in clothes that are barely covering themselves, who would give a place for wickedness, and more recently who would pose as brides and grooms of the same sex and openly kiss on the mouth during a performance that the whole country could see (Britney, Christina, and Madonna at the recent MTV Video Music Awards) look at what God says! It is possible that all three of these women thought that they were just "having a good time" or "giving the people what they want" but give me a break! If you were like me, you were sickened by this display. I know that this is somewhat of a separate issue given that I'm not in particular taking on the sexual exploits of those in Hollywood and not even Hollywood celebrities themselves. In fact the attack that I would wage is with the media that glorify their riches and power and popularity as though they were Gods. Let me just give you some verses to think about concerning riches and what the Bible says of them:
"He that trusteth in his riches shall fall, the righteous shall flourish as a branch." Proverbs 11:28
"He also that received see among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Matthew 13:22
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Mark 10:25
It seems pretty clear that God is not interested in how many cars or houses you can afford. He doesn't care how much money you make or don't make. In fact the Word seems to warn heavily against treating riches as anything other then another tool you can use to serve the Lord. Keep in mind that God wants all of His children to have good things, the problem lies in our thought process when it comes to riches and things. There are several good books available that give a Godly perspective to how we should value our earthly possessions. We have to remember that we are all stewards of what God has given us to use. Nothing that we have comes from our own work or our worthiness. If we remember this at all times we can have a right attitude about riches and power. Remember to whom much is given, much will be required.
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