For decades now, billions of
people have been listening to the McDonald's singing slogan, "You Deserve
A Break Today." The sinful human nature finds such self-indulgent
words greatly appealing. No doubt, this marketing strategy has largely
contributed to McDonalds success. Unfortunately, few people realize
the underlying humanism inherent in such words. Do we really
deserve a break today?
The Word of God (the Bible) declares that we all deserve to burn in hell-fire and brimstone (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:13-15, 21:8). No one deserves anything more than hell. Perhaps McDonalds simply meant that a working person has earned the right to enjoy a good meal. I would agree with that 100%. I love Big Macs and Quarter Pounders. I do not believe that McDonalds had any ill intent by using such words, but there is a difference between what we "deserve" and what we have have "earned" a right to enjoy. The Bible teaches that if a man doesn't work, then he shouldn't eat (2nd Thessalonians 3:10). A working man has a "right" to eat.
Nevertheless, even if McDonalds simply meant that a working person deserves a break, there is still a humanistic element in hearing those words..."You Deserve A Break Today." Believe me, millions of dollars probably went into coming up with that perfect statement. McDonalds has spent hundreds-of-millions of dollars experimenting with food items to come up with just the right product. I love McDonalds Coca-cola. A very long time ago when I was a teenager, I worked for McDonalds. I remember my supervisor telling me that McDonalds had spent like $3,000,000 just to determine how many holes to put in the MC DLT sauce dispenser (I think it was 21 holes). Don't hold me to that, it's been a long time. The Mc DLT came in two halves, in a double-compartment Styrofoam container. The hot beef patty with bottom bun came in one section of the container; then the cold lettuce, tomato, and other items came with the top bun. When you opened the container, you'd put the two halves together for a delicious sandwich. They stopped selling them many years ago, but I miss them a lot. What does all this have to do with deserving to go to hell? Nothing, but I felt like telling you about the Mc DLT.
Seriously, the Bible proclaims in Romans 3:10 that we are ALL sinners. Romans 3:23 declares that we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God. Isaiah 64:6 declares that our self righteousnesses are as filthy rags in the sight of God. We needs the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, available only through the blood which Jesus Shed upon the cross. If you have never trusted Christ as your Saviour, then please do so now.
The sinful world in which we live praises itself for it's own self achievements. As Christians, we know better. We know that all good things come from God above (James 1:17). The pride of this life, and the lusts of the flesh, and the lusts of the eyes...will all pass away (1st John 2:15). One hundred years from now, nothing will matter except what you did with Jesus Christ. If you die in your sins, you will go to hell to burn. If you die in the Lord, then you will go to heaven. It's as simple as that. In a materialistic world where businesses are continually programming people to believe that they are so wonderful with slogans such as: "You Deserve The Best"..."You're Number One"..."Treat Yourself"..."Have It Your Way"..."You Deserve A Break Today"..."You Deserve A Vacation"--It's no wonder why people are so tragically brainwashed with humanism. Humanism is evil, a philosophy that abandons God and His Word. Burger King's "Have It Your Way" is reminiscent of Frank Sinatra's "I Did It My Way" (written by Paul Anka). On the contrary, the Bible teaches that we should do it God's way.
Could you imagine driving down the highway, when suddenly over the radio you heard someone singing..."You Deserve Hell Today, at McDonalds." You'd probably drive off the road. McDonalds would receive threatening calls and letters by the millions saying "How dare you!" People would file lawsuits claiming that their children were traumatized for life. You see, most people don't like when you tell them the truth. That reminds me of something hilariously funny that happened. Some parents had taken their kids to Walt Disney to give them the "dream of a lifetime." Well, after being completely dazzled with Mickey Mouse, they were allegedly devastated afterwards when they saw Mickey Mouse taking his costume off around the corner. The parents filed a lawsuit against Disney for traumatizing their child. Only in America! I don't know if they ever won. Aren't we Americans a spoiled bunch? As Americans become increasingly spoiled, they are also becoming increasingly intolerant towards the truth of God's Word. The Biblical truth that we are all sinners deserving of hell is becoming increasingly offensive to the average spoiled rotten American.
Let us be diligent to look beyond the superficial cleverly crafted humanistic phrases that corporations are continually using against society in an attempt to appeal to our carnal nature. Let us constantly be reminded that our days are numbered in this short life. We should all be saying, "Lord willing, I'll do this or that..." (James 4:15, "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that"). Proverbs 27:1 declares, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Let us be reminded continually that there is a God to Whom we MUST all give account one day after we die (Romans 14:12 reads, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God"). Thank you for reading this.
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