Back to Reality

Reality TV, that is.

Tonight my favorite “reality” show, The Apprentice, airs. Though all seasons are not created equal – it’s taken some hammering in the ratings and time slots - I like this show’s leadership, teamwork, and marketing themes. To different degrees, these themes each relate to pastoral ministry and evangelism.

Of course, the show is also about money. The Bible has a lot to say about money, not to mention leadership, teamwork, and… well, maybe marketing too. (Perhaps my marketing friends can help me out on this one.)

The Bible speaks both positively and negatively how money is earned and used. Just today, I happened to read Psalm 10. This psalm describes two lies wealthy people sometimes tell themselves:

Lie #1: There is no God, and therefore no judgment to worry about.

In the pride of his face, the wicked does not seek [God]; All his thoughts are, “There is no God.” (Psalm 10:4)

Lie #2: There is no end to the possibilities.
He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; Throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” (10:6)

Part of the fun of The Apprentice is to figure out what drives people to compete and win in the business world. Certainly there are healthy motives, approved by God. But that doesn’t mean that unhealthy motives don’t “work” for some people. In fact, it might be that Christians are sometimes less successful because reality slows them down. They don’t consider certain options because they believe in God and his eventual judgment - while their non-Christian competition forges ahead no matter what the cost may be to their soul.

However, there is a God. There will be an end to the possibilities. And then those who have pursued financial success without considering this will have to come “back to reality.”