JEALOUS, YESSIREE

Oprah. Kobe. Hillary. Barack. Shaquille.

There aren't too many in today's society known by only their first name. And only one has her own magazine. With her picture on every cover. Hitchcock might have been in every movie he made, but he didn't promote himself as much as Oprah.

She won an Oscar, I believe, for her performance in a great movie, The Color Purple. If she didn't, she should have. But that's the last good thing I'm going to say about her.

Raised a Baptist, she said she stopped following organized religion when she heard a preacher say "God is a jealous God." Oprah didn't like that. She wanted God to be what she wanted Him to be.

Lots and lots of folks want that, too. That's is to make God in their own image. It escapes me now where in scripture it was pointed out that since God had created all there is, He is sovereign, not they. But to think otherwise, that God is not satisfying you by His ways, is just a little self-centered. Rather like putting your mug on the cover of your magazine. Every month.

Even if she feels that way why does she have to share her mis-belief with her followers? Does she want a following based on her spiritual beliefs? Is she trying to be a god(dess)? Is she trying to get others to question their faith? Is she trying purposely to lead others away from God by her disbelief?

But what about all the people she helps? All the money she gives to worthy causes? It's a heart issue. And I won't go there. I'm not supposed to nor can judge someone else. I can do the math, though. If her income exceeds $10 million annually and she gives away only $1 million to a church, then she's not even tithing as scripture dictates.

If she serves others out of the goodness of her heart, then she's doing what scripture stresses. If she's giving to others to promote herself, then she's received her rewards on earth; there won't be any forthcoming in heaven. To receive the rewards in heaven, one is to give lovingly and anonymously.

Who am I to tell Oprah how to live and how to give? Absolutely nobody. But there's a great model in the Holy Bible. It was inspired by a jealous God who wants our attention and devotion. And He doesn't need a magazine cover or tv show. Plus, He probably had plenty of Oscars in Heaven.