February 27, 2000 Volume 1 Number 9
Who Wants To Marry
A Millionaire ?
Or What Will A Woman Take In
Exchange For Her Soul ?
Recently, one of the other television networks chose to give the popular new game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” a run for its money. We derive the title of this article from the format for their version of the show. The premise is that there is a handsome, single, multimillionaire, (who apparently in his rush to fame and fortune has been unwilling or unable to make the time or effort to find a suitable wife in the old fashioned way), who will choose from among a group of contestants on a game show/beauty pageant(/meat market) and marry her right there on the show.
I did not watch the show, as I hope none of you did. It was however the talk of the day(s) following it’s airing. There was indeed a man, a millionaire, who viewed and judged some fifty finalists in a number of categories, similar I am told, to those of any other beauty pageant. Though I do not watch these either, I know enough, as do those of you reading this, that the ‘qualities’ he was looking at (not for) have very little to do with whether a woman will make a good wife.
Apparently, at the end of the show, finalists were chosen (one shudders to think what responsibilities of the first runner-up were designated to be in case the Bride was unable to fulfill her commitment), and then the ‘lucky’ Bride was chosen. A marriage ceremony was performed and the ’happy’ Groom left to claim the favors he was to so ‘richly’ pay for.
One news source, reporting the next day on reactions to the previous nights airing commented, “fifty women competed but at the end of the evening there was only one loser, the rest all got paid by the network.” A popular morning talk show host referred to the show as “nothing more than prostitution”. These are the views of worldly people . . . even they can see the perversion in such.
What does such a spectacle say about our society. When the institution of marriage, as designed by God, can be so callously abused before millions of viewers? Have we truly sunk so low into immorality that it is not enough to depict such perversion on so called situation comedies or live action COPS shows, but now women are openly being lured into prostitution for the entertainment of the masses. Shades of Ephesus and all her whoredoms in the name of false gods.
For those claiming to be Christians, it would be good to echo the sentiments of the Psalmist in Ps 101:3-4 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. NKJV and never set such things before their eyes, to corrupt their own morals.
God says in Heb 13:4-5 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. NKJV Yes, in theory, a marriage took place. It is however, likely to end as it began, in a dispute over ‘their’ wealth (that is covetousness). This whole activity by its very nature (effectively purchasing a ‘wife’) does, by example, defile the sanctity and honor of the marriage bed and mocks the marriage relationship.
Wickedness is not new to our society. Neither are such blatant shows of lasciviousness, greed, and perversity. In the latter days of the Roman Empire, such spectacles were staged for the entertainment of the bored, ignorant, masses to keep them from rebelling at the abuses and excesses of its ruling class. Sound familiar? Unfortunately (fortunately depending on your perspective) God allowed that wicked Empire to be overthrown and destroyed from within and without, no doubt because of its wickedness. How closely does our society mirror that time? How soon until those who are willing to stand up for the Truth and live a Christian’s life are pursued and persecuted to near extinction as in that time? How willing are WE to stand up for what is right?
Those who are seeking to serve God should be sickened by the very thought that we as a nation have stooped so low as this. The only ray of hope observable thus far in this matter is the apparent negative reactions being voiced, even by those in the liberal media.
Isa 22:4-5 I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me because of the plundering of the daughter of my people." For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity NKJV While Isaiah was not speaking here of an individual the words seem to ring true in our context. One of our daughters has been led, albeit willingly, into a life of greed and perversity. Shall we not weep for her and for ourselves and for our nation?
Home
and Family:
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHILDREN II
The New Testament binds a great responsibility on children when it says
in Ephesians 6:1-3, "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is
right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth". The key words are "honor" and "obey". There is
no time limit on this. God does not free a child from this responsibility simply
because he has now gone to college or is married. A child in the earliest years
of adulthood makes a tragic mistake by neglecting his parents.
It is necessary that we say something about the word "obey".
Children are to obey their parents "in the Lord". One must never
forget that his allegiance to God comes before any man. That includes
government, companions and parents. The early apostles expressed it well when
they were commanded not to preach in the name of Christ. They responded by
saying in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men".
The term "obey your parents" indicates that the parents have
laid down some laws or provided some instruction to guide the children. This is
what is meant by the wise man when he said in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from
it". It is understood then that the law to be obeyed by the child is that
which will make him a fine, decent, responsible person. Instructions of parents
should be revered by children beyond the parents death. No time limit exists on
"Children obey your parents in the Lord" Ephesians 6:1.
The other word that stands out so predominantly in the children's
responsibility to their parents is the word "honor". The Bible says in
Ephesians 6:2, "Honor thy father and mother". This responsibility
deals with the child's attitude and respect toward parents. Webster's New World
Dictionary says of the word honor, it is "High regard of great respect
given". "Something done or given as a token of respect". The home
for centuries has provided an environment for one to learn all of the ABC's of
Christian living. It is in the home that seeds of character can be sown and
given an opportunity to flourish. The great principles of God are to be taught,
practiced and cultivated in the home. The child who has learned to honor parents
can then effectively show high regard toward his fellow man. He later can easily
show respect for a companion and his own children.
It is important that we pause to say that parents have the responsibility
to provide the proper atmosphere in the home so that the child can develop an
appreciation for law and order given by parents and learn the meaning of
respect. Such an environment will cause children to rise up and call their
parents "blessed". The example of parents set in honoring and loving
one another is far-reaching in the heart and life-pattern of the child. When a
children cannot see parents love, respect and honor one another, it is extremely
difficult for them to rise above this obstacle and honor those that do not honor
themselves. Remember, in order to manifest honor towards others, you must
respect yourself.
Christ provides us with an example in all things. Having returned from
the visit to the city of Jerusalem at the age of 12, the Bible says that Christ,
"was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man"
Luke 2:51-52. Christ was obedient to his parents. His affection and respect for
his mother was manifested from the cross. He was concerned about her care and
well-being. He gave this responsibility to the beloved Apostle John John
19:25-27. You shall always be children in the eyes of your parents and in the
eyes of the Lord. Your response to the commandment, "Obey your
parents" and "Honor thy father and thy mother", will be a pretty
good yardstick measuring how well you will obey your Lord and give Him honor
through faithful worship.
The child's responsibility is a lifetime labor, a labor of love that will be richly blessed in all walks of life. In the words of Ephesians Chapter 6, it is the first commandment with promise.
~
Author unknown
The
Youth Of The Day
Our
youths love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority--they show
disrespect for their elders and love to chatter in place of exercise. Children
are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when
their elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before
company, gobble up food, and tyrannize teachers.
(Socrates, c. 400 BC)
"This
Is Good!"
Author Unknown
I heard the story about a king in Africa who had a close friend that he
had grown up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that
ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is
good!"
One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The
friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently
done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from
his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is
good!". To which the king replied, "No, this is not good!" and
proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have
known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village.
They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the
stake.
As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was
missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than
whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his
thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to
the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right" he said, "it
was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend
all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail
for so long. It was bad for me to do this."
"No," his friend replied, "this is good!"
"What do you mean, 'this is good'! How could it be good that I sent
my friend to jail for a year."
His friend answered, "If I had not been in jail, I would have been
with you."
"And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Can
you claim the promise of this verse in the midst of adversity?
You
should know that--
Truth
is--
Knowable
Jn 8:31-32
Able
to make you free Jn 8:31-32
More
valuable than anything else Prov 23:23
What
Jesus came to show us Jn 1:17; 14:6
What
Jesus came to bear witness of Jn 18:37
What
has been fully revealed in the Bible Jn
16:12-13; 2 Pet 1:3-4; Jude 3
~excerpted
from pearlstreet.org
We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study.
2
Sam 22:31
As
for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to
all who trust in Him. NKJV