", Mary Ellen and her sister were talking about rings. Most girls like rings, especially the diamonds. One movie star sang, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend
."One of the Walton girls indicated that she had a "real fake diamond ring." How do you know if you have purchased a genuine fake? One night at a famous hotel in Seoul, South Korea, some young people stepped on the elevator Kitty and I were taking to our floor. A smiling teenager was wearing an attractive looking shirt with "Gucci" written across the front. I remarked, "That shirt is beautiful and it must have cost a lot of money being a 'Gucci'." The energetic teen replied, "I only paid $2.00 for it, but the kids back home won't know the difference."
Others may not know, but the owner usually knows. I bought a small piece of luggage, with the proper zippers, compartments and my shade of blue from a nice talking gentleman selling them on the street in Asia. He asked what name I wanted on it. I said, "Whatever kind of bag it is." He said, "It can be anything you want" and then rattled off many famous brands of luggage.
I just took time from writing to check the name of my perfect size bag that I bought from a street salesman and have used as I traveled to many countries and all across the United States. Each zipper has on its "pull tongue" the word "Crown".
The only problem with the genuine "fake" and the high sounding and expensive name is that the owner always knows their real value. There is a word for that which the Bible calls hypocrisy. Jesus did not speak highly of the hypocrites nor did anyone else, but they could sure brag on themselves.
I heard of an old-fashion cook who made hypocrite rolls. They were scraps of pie dough left from baking. She did not want to waste anything so rolled and baked the dough with some cinnamon and sugar and call them ""hypocrites". They did not look or taste like a real cinnamon roll. A poor example in appearance and taste of the real thing.
Kitty and I visited one of the largest and most expensive diamond stores in Europe. The doors were locked behind us. Everything was closely guarded. The real thing is expensive and must be carefully mined and expertly cut and polished.
Speaking of the fakes and hypocrites in life, Jesus addressed his remarks to the scribes and Pharisees with these words: "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23:28, 29).
In defining hypocrisy, an Arabian proverb, uses this example: "A mouth that prays, a hand that kills." There is little respect for or value placed on the phony, pretender, deceiver, the fake and the insincere.
In religion, politics, education, in everyday living most of us are looking for the real thing. We have had enough fakery and hypocrisy for the rest of our days. It would improve every area of life if we had a lot more of the genuine and the real. The artificial will get us in a mess just like we are in.
It may be past time to start once more to teach our children and young people about respect for truth, honesty, sincerity, righteousness and godliness. The opposite will destroy. I still believe that genuine faith, hope and love can make a difference.
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| Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 2,000 newspaper and magazine columns, articles and contributions to books. He is also a widely known motivational speaker and pulpit guest who utilizes enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems makes him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089. |
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