Excuse me, can I have your attention?
Thousands of messages flood into your personal space every day, most of which are uninvited. The most important commodity being traded every day isn’t found on the stock market or on retail shelves… it’s your allegiance.
Whether you realize it or not, you are being “played” on a daily basis. The clothes you wear, the food you eat, the coffee you drink are all a result of someone grabbing your attention and influencing you to buy their stuff. As a former advertising executive and copywriter, I found great joy in manipulating people through words and innuendo – but those days have passed, and now I’m using words to spread the gospel!
Most people would be shocked to find how easy it actually can be to convince someone to buy a product they don’t need (just look around you right now… do you really need all of that?).
What about that boat you bought or that outboard motor you had to have. Or the new Driver that promises 30 extra yards? Or what about that rifle or ammunition that guarantees a quick, clean kill on your prey? At one point, Native Americans were slaying dear with a carved stick, catching fish with reed and bone hook, and golfers in Scotland were knocking around a leather ball with an oak limb…and scoring better than you.
Christ was telling His disciples to be careful of what you set your eyes upon. And while He was teaching, a rich young man came to Him who had all of the latest and greatest trinkets, and toys. Christ Jesus ended up sending the guy away and asking him to filter out all of the wants and center himself on his needs.
There is nothing that people make that will bring sustained contentment. There is no miracle pill that will transform you into a better, happier, more joyful person. Regardless of the TV ads, radio ads, and internet “CLICK NOWs” that promise riches, good looks, and contentment… they can’t deliver it.
The challenge of being a man of faith is found in the filter. Like a fine mesh that holds back the coffee grind and allows the flavor to flow through… Christ can show you how to filter out the trash of life.
How many messages do you allow into your life each day that encourages you to stand strong in your faith? How many advertisements are offered that tell you to filter out the stupidity of excess and focus on helping others? Not many.
The only path to righteousness is through Jesus Christ. In other words, the only way you will ever achieve contentment in your daily life is to filter out the selfish messages of the world, and focus on the teachings of Christ – To love God completely by serving others first. It’s through that… that you will find peace and contentment.
Let’s challenge one another to raise the value of our commodity… and make our allegiance to Christ, not stuff.
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About the Author
You know this is so true. We get cought up in our everyday routine of life as the world floods our daily routine with all the ads, from the TV, radio and the billboards. We really dont think about it changing our lives but it does. Think about it, if we (including myself) read GOD’s word as much as we seen the ads that we are flooded with everyday how much filtering could we do. Thanks for this reminder Greg
Thank you for this message. Throughout my life I have tried very hard not to fall prey to all the advertising gimics. I try to avoid the expensive brand names whenever I can. More important is to keep my focus on Godly things. I got married 20 years ago, and unfortunately, I allowed my wife to persue bigger houses, shiny new cars, and lots of stuff. My marriage is strained and I have been separated from my wife for over 3 years. I now realize that I needed to me a better spiritual leader rather than a “stuff manager” and at 54 that is what I am working on. I have been getting rid of excess stuff, focusing on the things of God and praying that my wife and kids will see how much more important God is than anything this world can offer.
Thanks for taking time to read the article. I think many of us get caught up in the chase – myself included. Each day is brand new and thank you for the encouragement offered by your example to chase God. Push on toward the prize!