Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 23:17

I think Proverbs is pretty clear about associating ourselves with those who we might consider sinners. There seems to be a phenomenon in our nation of “Star worship” or “Stargazing.” Many flock to Hollywood to see the Rich and the Famous, and buy those national magazines that assault us in the grocery store lines. Entertainment Tonight! is huge.

But you say, “Eh. They’re just movie stars. Give ’em a break.”

Occasionally we get a glimpse into their private lives and thoughts. I would venture to say that the majority of the Hollywood stars think directly opposite to what we think on most issues. They’re not in our camp, so to speak. And yet, we hang on their every word.

Look for a moment at their private lives and you’ll see why we shouldn’t be envying them.

Why should we envy the numerous divorces that he has or the decadent and loose lifestyle that she has? Do you think we meet eye to eye on abortion with them? They have it all: glamor, riches, and fame. Are they really that happy as a community? Drugs, booze, sleeping around, abortion, immoral behavior. It’s all there, and yet we tend to glamorize what it would be like with all of that fame and fortune. Think we would be any different?

Radio talk show host Dennis Prager reminds us that Hollywood does the rest of the world a great service: they show us that you can have it all and still be very empty.

That’s something to consider next time we (secretly) wish we had more money than we know what to do with and are recognized in every restaurant we go into.