False Hope

     It’s an election year again and Americans are hopeful.  Hopeful things will improve.

     Media outlets are busy helping pick the front-runners.  Politics rules TV news shows and the editorial pages. We devour the candidates’ latest gaffes and sound bytes. We’re addicted to it.

     We shake our heads at the attack ads.  But we watch.  Mesmerized.  It’s almost religious.

     Voters are convinced their candidate is messianic.  He or she will right all wrongs, rescue the oppressed, fix the country, and put money in the pockets of the poor. 

     “Ladies and gentlemen! May I introduce the next president of the United States? Source of hope, savior of the economy, world peace negotiator and defender of children and the aged!”

     OK–they don’t actually say they last part, but the political rallies give that impression.

     “Well hold on just a minute,” you may say.  “I really believe the right person could do it!”

     The Bible says there is only one Messiah and his name is Jesus.  Politics has never and will never fix what ails America or any other nation.  Politics is a false hope.  A lie.

     Why?  Because the real problem is our addiction to it.  Like bums on Skid Row, we like our ‘booze.’  And next to politics, our other intoxicant of choice is money.  We can’t get enough of either one.  Politics and money go hand in hand.

     Somewhere along the way we bought into the idea that money could also make us happy.  Even the wealthy believe they need “just a little bit more.”  Greed is addicting.

     They say, “You can never be too rich or too thin.”  And we sincerely believe it.  Our faith in money’s power to save us drives the popular lotteries and lucrative gambling industry.

     The only problem is that it’s another false hope.  Money has never bought joy or peace.  But it sure can buy votes!  And so politicians use the promise of jobs and prosperity to get elected.

     Jesus showed us a better way.  He warned about a life pursuing wealth.  He respected government but avoided politics.  Politicians polarize people but Jesus unites them.

     If only we were as passionate about faith in God as we are about our politics and our money!

     Jesus once said no one could serve both God and money at the same time.  And ever since we’ve tried to prove him wrong!   But wealth doesn’t satisfy.  Only Jesus satisfies our souls.

     No wonder the Bible observes, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

     It goes on to say, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

     That last sentence is one of the most misquoted verses in the entire Bible.  It doesn’t say, “Money is the root of all evil.”  It says, “The LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

     Greed is the motive behind much of the world’s evil.  Contentment, however, is the source of great peace and satisfaction.  And the secret of contentment is found in Jesus, the Son of God.

     When a person becomes a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, they gain a Heavenly Father who can meet all of their needs.  Their focus shifts from greed and envy to trusting God and serving others.  It’s a path millions have followed and found to be liberating and true.

     The Bible sets before us two paths.  One path is wide and popular.  It’s the road of greed and power over others.  It leads to self-destruction and separation from God, which is eternal death.

     The other path is narrow and less traveled.  It’s the road of faith and peace and starts with Christ.  It leads to a fulfilled life and ends in Heaven.  And that’s real hope instead of false hope!

     Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!