CHAPTER 50 – VANITY 2026
This chapter is about “looking good.” Some people try to look good buying the coolest stuff, some people try to look good buying un-cool stuff. All of it, attempting to look good. Vanity. Looking good costs money and is not profitable.
Unlike Vanity, “Correct tools” are an investment and is profitable. When a job calls for an F-250 truck, a Maserati is an incorrect purchase, a late model Luv truck is an incorrect purchase. Both cost money and yield nothing, with the exception of unnecessary debt. The Luv truck can’t carry anything and the Maserati certainly doesn’t have a trailer hitch. The Luv truck is supposed to say I’m frugal so I’m cool, the Maserati is supposed to say I’m rich, so I’m cool. Both of them say the opposite. The F-250 is the truck needed for the job and without it, there is no job. An easy example, but you get the point.
Scripture indicates that God does not “show off” or act with vanity, as He is a God of truth, consistency, and hidden majesty rather than theatrical display. God’s glory is often revealed quietly to the faithful, valuing humility and inner character over the outward, boastful show-off behavior often seen in humanity.
Matthew 6:1 warns against practicing righteousness to be seen by others, implying God rewards humble acts, not theatrical displays.
Numbers 23:19 clarifies that God does not lie, boast, or exhibit human arrogance.
God often remains hidden in unapproachable light, revealing himself through whispers or small actions rather than overwhelming public spectacles (1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Kings 19:12).
The world has forgotten to fear God. Church’s repeatedly introduce a new version of Christ or a belief system that systematically removes the fear or terror of God. Not a healthy choice, and an incorrect, false choice.
Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:30-31).
I buy a ten bedroom house when I need a two bedroom house. I buy a one bedroom apartment when I need a three bedroom house. Stupid, costly, irrelevant, does nothing good.
1 Samuel 16:7: “…For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Peter 3:3-4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight”.
Chapter 50 is the warning of a nasty spirit that only the Lord can deal with. How to look good. Do you want to know the secret of looking good? It’s easy. Be busy about the work of the Lord and pray to Him to remove the spirit of Vanity from your fears.
“Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
With God, your work will impress others, some it will inspire, others it will send fear crushing their inspiration. Some will get up and follow the Master, others realize their direction is useless and will hate you a reminder. Oh, yes.., Truth is a scary thing to those who lie. Frightening to those who live in the dark. Light is the path away from Vanity.
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Why is it necessary to make up stories? Why is it necessary to deploy Vanity when Truth is better? Why? It’s an easy answer. Because all of us are lame, sinners, pompous useless liars, cheats and bamboozlers …, and we do it all in the name of what is right and just and honorable, knowing deep down that it is not any of those things.
Ecclesiastes 1: The words of the Teacher,[a] son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher.
Ephesians 5:11-16 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
What is the opposite of vanity? Truth and in Truth little by little we get better and in the mind of Christ contentment slowly warms the heart. Let God make the list for you everyday…, and then ask His protection in doing the list given by The Almighty God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
Vanity markets to the unhappy, the unfulfilled or both. “Selling useless folly to the unfortunate”. Vanity takes their money and delivers an avatar. And what is an avatar? A false representation of a person, a created picture, cartoon, an interpretive 3D alter ego, a virtual world, a perception game, a derived identity. Why? There are much more decent things to do.
“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus”
2 Timothy 2:3
Psalm 139:13-14 For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
How do I know the difference between what I am commanded to do and what I want to be? Good question. “I’m a movie star, no I’m not. I’m a rock star, no I’m not. I’m a pastor, no I’m not.” As Popeye used to say, “I am what I am.” And what I am is what God has made. Rather than create an alternate reality in Vanity, do the hard things and push through. That is honorable.
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
If I listen, if I pray to God to help me listen, if I read the scripture to help me understand the mind of God for me, if I listen to Godly fellowship of those with experience and knowledge in the path of God, Vanity has much less chance of taking a stronghold.
God blesses and directs me in things I am to do. Little by little I get better at things. I don’t pretend, I practice. I work and practice at my responsibilities at the same time. I don’t have time to pretend as much. Practicing and practicing is way more honorable than pretending, but it takes time because learning and experience are an acquired skill. Working, practice, practice, working, spiritual gifts, identifying, developing, using God-given abilities to serve others and build up the church, rather than for personal spotlight.
Service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy with dedication, all guided by love. Rom. (12:6–8) and dependence on God’s strength.
Impossible to do any of that by pretending. One must master the skill of leadership, compassion and Truth in order to share or help.
Romans 12:3 Because of the privilege and authority[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
Vanity is not necessary, illegitimate.
Colossians 3:9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Perception is what is in my head,
Perspective is actually what is happening
Don’t get the two confused.
Borrowing money is a necessity when engaging Vanity.
Vanity-Insanity.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
It is a earned, learned skill acquired of being one’s true self. It is mastered, only in the mercy of Christ. When that happens truly people, customers, partners, family are better for it. Even in challenging times an authentic me or you better serves the situation, and that is reflected in those people who rely on you or me. Authentic is real and real, for better or for worse, is truthful and truthful is comforting, productive and more profitable. Sometimes it might not feel like that in the beginning, but life irons out when truth is the common denominator. It levels itself, maneuvers into more controllable waters and information becomes more obtainable, more useful, more beneficial. Authentic is actually easier than Vanity, definitely more affordable. It does however start with truth…
Matthew 5:37 But let [a]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Vanity causes doubt, debt, weird investments, ridiculous schemes and worse, it inspires deceitfulness.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil people who pretend to be what they are not will become worse than ever, as they fool others and are fooled themselves.
Chapter 50, Vanity, 2026. Do what exactly needs to be done and leave the rest to God.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Is it possible to fail the test? Yes. We fail one day at a time and it becomes easier to lie and less profitable. Working towards authentic one day at a time becomes easier as well — and Truth is more profitable than an invented Avatar. In the fear of God there is wisdom and hope and the Lord is with you.
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:16
Chapter 50 Vanity 2026
“..give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT
Get real, be real, stay real.., amen.
