Are you the same inside as you are outside?
Do you crave other people’s approval? Is your fulfillment in the praise from others? Do you always do you best, even when there is no one watching? Do you go shopping and buy what you cannot afford to impress other people, looking for acceptance? What is wrong with this picture? Why do you feel the need to be idolized? Is your own self-worth so low that others must boost it up in order for you to gain any satisfaction? What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Stand back and take a good look. What do you want to see? Someone who works hard like a mother, wife, secretary, teacher, businessman, ironworker, store clerk? What is it you expect to see, a high school prom queen, star quarterback, class president, head cheerleader? Times change. You didn’t achieve those things by wearing the best clothes, or jewelry. You worked hard at practice, studies and people were attracted to you because of your energy and determination. So why now is it so important to display wealth? Does it show who you really are on the inside? Maybe it is time to rethink things? Do you really need a pair of $1200.00 shoes, or have the best golf clubs money can buy? What about wanting to be revered and loved by your family? Does it take fancy clothes and jewelry for that, or sacrifice, time and an abundance of love? Things money can’t buy. How about the adoration of your husband or wife, not by what you wear, but how much you give in time, love and devotion. Maybe it’s time to get a new mirror.
As parents we need to teach our children that real beauty comes from the inside. And that beauty begins with the love that was taught to us by Jesus Christ. We love him because he first loved us, and if we are to love others or ourselves, we must know that love first hand.
We as writers throw the word Love around pretty liberally. But the true meaning of love is, the willingness to lay down one’s life for a friend or brother. OH, to be loved like that is a real best seller!
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:21-23
But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:18
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Proverbs 19:4-6