Believing Advertisers or Believing God?
When I was a child, television commercials told us:
- That we would wonder where the yellow went if we brushed with a certain toothpaste.
- That we’d feel stronger if we took a certain liquid supplement to help our iron-poor blood.
- That a certain dishwashing liquid was so gentle we could soak our nails in it during a manicure.
When our children were growing up, one advertiser was still encouraging kids to listen for their cereal to snap, crackle, and pop.
I am grateful for the advertisements through the years that have informed me about something I genuinely needed. Some ads have been of great benefit to me. Toothpastes can brighten teeth. Nutritional supplements do help our iron levels. Some dishwashing liquids are gentler than others on our hands. Some cereals really do stay crispier in milk than other cereals.
However, we need to be careful that we don’t start believing that the stuff the world advertises will give us contentment or fulfillment.
During a recent sermon, Ray shared a powerful truth with us. He said that the world doesn’t live up to its advertising, but God does.
One time, when someone wanted Jesus to help him get the family inheritance he believed was coming to him, Jesus taught:
“Beware, and be on your guard
against every form of greed;
for not even when one is affluent
does his life consist of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15b
During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His listeners:
“Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves do not break in or steal;
for where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
In John 10, Jesus talked about His role as our Good Shepherd. He said:
“The thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy;
I came so that they would have life,
and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10
Likely you gave your children gifts during the last few days. How amazing that we can give them the gift of an introduction to God Who blesses eternally.
Do not love the world
nor the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes
and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father, but is from the world.
The world is passing away and also its lusts;
but the one who does the will of God
continues to live forever.
1 John 2:15-17
