I think the programme that I dislike most on TV is Top Billing. Top Billing idolizes luxury, extravagance, opulence and excess. So we strive for bigger mansions, more exclusive interior designers, softer carpets and heated towel railings. Before you ask (I know you will): I live in a comfortable house worth over a million rand and have just painted half of it inside so it looks nice. God, through the prophet Haggai in the Old Testament, lashed out at his people for decorating their own home while the temple (God’s symbolic home) in Jerusalem was lying in ruins. God’s people had returned from 70 years in exile and their houses were in a mess and no doubt needed some attention. Yet, by the time of Haggai’s prophecy, God’s people had been back 19 years from exile and the temple remained unbuilt.
The excuse was that the timing was not quite right for the rebuilding (Haggai 1:2). Interestingly, the people did have time to decorate and beautify their own homes (1:4). The reason for this, according to God, was that the people did not fear or revere the LORD Almighty (1:12), nor did they live for his pleasure or honour (1:8). In other words, God’s people didn’t think much of God and were living for their own entertainment and comfort. As a result, their experienced lack of pleasing and judgment. Four times in the book of Haggai God says to his people, “What’s up with this, consider what you do!” God called for his people to make temple building their priority.
I bet that if you had to ask one of Haggai’s audience where God was on their priority list, they would have said that of course in first place. But actions speak louder than words.
God says to us too: “What’s up with this?”
Thanks for the comment Sphelo. I was thinking especially of affluent areas, but no doubt Haggai’s mesage is for all. The inequality in South Africa is a huge challenge and, as you know, many do not have their basic needs met. The Apostle Paul said that we can be content with “food and clothing” (1 Timothy 6:8). That is, you have enough to eat, a place to live and clothes to wear. (I think we should understand “clothing” more as “protective covering”.) Of course, many don’t even have these. The contentment of many of my Christian brothers and sisters living in very poor areas is a massive testimony to me. The gospel drives us who have more to share with those who have less.
Nice link between Haggai 1 situation and Top billing… It’s a big challenge for everyone, especially for Christians who are living in conditions where true contentment would be very difficult to be applied because they want,in fact not just want, but have to change the poor living conditions they find themselves in. Moving from a poorly structured or slow service delivered area would be their best wish or their desire and at the same time want to be content with what the Lord has blessed them with..
Nice link between Haggai 1 situation and Top billing… It’s a big challenge for everyone, especially for Christians who are living in conditions where true contentment would be very difficult to be applied because they want,in fact not just want, but have to change the poor living conditions they find themselves in. Moving from a poorly structured or slow service delivered area would be their best wish or their desire and at the same time want to be content with what the Lord has blessed them with..
It definately got me thinking…
Much easier to preach than practise though!!
May we by grace get His perspective on things.
I like the way you applied Haggai to our world and context. I suppose Top Billing serves us also as Christians to examine the lifestyle of some of the people we are wanting to reach with the gospel. Again I think it comes down to the heart motive we have in watching or enjoying the show. When a good thing becomes a desire above our desire for Christ, then our hearts lapse into idolatry. I think your article serves us well because I dont think as Christians we always watching top billing with the motive of wanting to understand culture but rather with a lust for a heavenly lifestyle here on earth.
I'm glad someone at last has been critical of Top Billing. While in one sense it is attractive to watch I agree with you that its idolizing of extravagance & excess is unethical & even disgusting. I've been wanting write & ask them to show the servant's quarters of each luxurious house – if there are such quarters. I'd like to see whether they have a decent room, bed, kitchenette, fridge, built-in cupboards, room for a child, etc. I'd also like to know how well they treat & pay servants & whether they send the domestic's children to decent schools. Then if they have so much money I'd like to know how they treat & pay their employees. If they're clean & generous on these scores then I have nothing against them except their self-indulgence.