Prizes

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:14-15)

What’s wrong with the Mook and Midriff? Why can’t our young people have some fun?

Some might say that it’s because the lifestyles lead to immoral behavior. Sometimes, but not always. Not every Midriff sleeps around and not every Mook spends the weekend stoned.

Marketers’ motivation comes into play here. Why do merchandisers try to brainwash young people? For sales. They create an alternate reality for youth for one reason: to use teens to create affluence for themselves.

Jesus made the point clear: what we prize is often an abomination to God. God is concerned for the widows, the orphans, the weak, the poor, the vulnerable. We prize the rich and famous. We’ll exploit others to become rich and famous.

Manipulating others for our own gain is detestable to the Lord. Our young people are being misused. They are slaves to an empty image in a marketing plan. The lions of merchandise are on the prowl.

If you see a Mook this week, offer him a cookie and a soft drink. Let our youth know that they, and not their lifestyle, have value to us.

Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth?
Why then has he become plunder?
Lions have roared;
they have growled at him.
They have laid waste his land;
his towns are burned and deserted.

Jer 2:14-15