"So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”…John 8:31-33 Berean Study Bible
"For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" - John 1:17.

I came home last night and there was ‘something’ on the TV. I would prefer to call it rubbish but that would entirely denigrate the team who had put all the effort into making the programme. All they were doing was pandering to the masses, because sadly people watch such ‘stuff’.

The programme maker has a watchword to follow. Look for TRUTH and you will find an audience. If you look for topicality, relevance, an unusual story, trouble and human interest. This programme found all of that. There was the lady who wanted to have the trappings of the celebrity lifestyle – while living on benefits. In order to seek such a lifestyle she would stoop to almost nothing to get what she wanted. There was the claim for a lottery win that she had not had and the photo shoot to help to create a modelling future. We viewed the ladies newly installed hot tub that was actually a rather cool tub.

Viewers tuned in and were probably mocking the ladies search for ‘life’ unaware that most people seek a good self-image after the same fashion.

I was linking the programme in my mind to the way we sometimes look at money. Money is often there to create self-worth. We keep up with the Joneses in order to make us feel better. In our post last week we realised that there needed to be a mind-change.

I was reading from the book, ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ and found this short passage,

“The Scriptures are the great agency in the transformation in character. Christ prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict us of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul and spirit to His own image.”

Christ’s object lessons, p.100

There is an added thought. It is perfectly true that by reading the Bible we are drawn, by God, to be changed. The depth and direction of that change is enhanced as we read the right materials. The SmartStewards have been reading books and articles which have transformed their lives enormously. A bank balance, no matter how small, has replaced a pile of debt. The ability to give and to bless has replaced an apologetic, “I’m sorry I can’t help.”