Daddy and I went to eat last week at a popular breakfast spot on north end. As we’re waiting for our order, I noticed these gumball machines. Now, what kid doesn’t like gumball machines? These gumball machines are always filled with kid goodies and always strategically placed right at their eye level. No matter where you see them, when a child walks by, they’re leaning into them.
One gumball machine specifically caught my eye. Top right – Wish Dolls. How enticing. Who doesn’t want a Wish Doll? Now I’m not exactly sure what a Wish Doll is, but I would expect it to be exactly what it says, a Wish Doll. They appear to be some type of spun fabric or yarn figures each a different color, each dressed differently. As the ad says – Collect Them All. Now I’m thinking, if it is such a powerful doll, and it can grant my wish, why do I need more than one? Maybe each doll only has one wish. I don’t know. I mean who wouldn’t buy seven wishes for $5.25?
Breakfast came and we ate, but I couldn’t stop thinking about these Wish Dolls. Obvious you say – who takes a snap of gumball machines. Later, as I looked at the picture of the bank of machines, their appeal dawned on me. If you put in your coin, you get what you want. Look at all the promises made for just a few coins. I can get what I want if I give up just a little.
Silver N Gold – look at those treats – bling dollar signs, a bling motorcycle, a bling peace sign, a bling crown, a bling dog bone and something else that I just can’t tell what it is, but it’s bling so who wouldn’t want it? I’m not sure who could pass this up for .75. Put your money in and you are shiny, bright, and people will notice – even your dog.
Then we have the Pokemon machine. Now this is a little better deal. For .50 you can get trading cards and a Sugar Skull Tattoo with a rose or a cross on its forehead. What do you say to that gem?
The bottom row has the very best deals of the day. At .25 you can get Seedlings. Fruit shaped bubble gum with candy seeds at only 35 calories a fruit! Milk N’ Cookies Fun-Erasers! You can erase your mistakes with 0 calories. Acrylic Rings and just plain ole Bubble Gum.
Harmless, right? Hmmm. Deceptive, right? Hmmm. Give a little bit of what you have away and you will receive a small something that is well…junk. The gumballs have lost their flavor before you’ve gotten to the car, the tattoo has only half stuck to your arm, the bling has turned your neck black, the eraser has gummed up and cannot get rid of your life mistakes, and none of your wishes have come true despite having all seven chances.
The world’s concept is you put in your money, you can get what you want. This is just not true. You put your money in and you get nothing lasting in return. It’s deceptive. The evil one is the master of deceit. The Apostle Paul cautioned us more than once about being deceived.
I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. Colossians 2:4
As adults we look at those treats and we can see their lack of value (but that doesn’t stop us). We look at those treats and say we’re not going to waste our money on that (but we do). We try to encourage our children and teach them that the promises that are made on the front of those gumball machines are either impossible (Wish Dolls) or short-lived (Bubble Gum). We try to teach our children to ignore the eye-candy. But, sometimes we adults are easily lured into the promises of the world too, aren’t we? Sometimes we adults are too easily deceived.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
This world we live in is incredibly powerful. More powerful than we are to resist. But not more powerful than the Lord to overcome. Hallelujah! If we are connected to the Lord, our choices become easier. If we are connected to the Lord, we can resist the deception, with His help. But, if we are not connected to Him, there is absolutely no way we will resist diving in to the world because we were all made to seek something. For believers we know that that something is the Lord. For those of the world, they’re still putting their coins in trying to be filled, trying to get the prize, too often being deceived. The gumball machine says quarters only. The Lord says why spend your time and money on things that will not save you? Come.
“Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
Isaiah 55:1-3
Don’t fall for the kid goodies, the candy at eye-level. Lift your head.