Where Thieves Break in and Steal

I was listening to This American Life this afternoon, specifically episode 383: Origin Story. I was immediately struck by the theme of the show, particularly the first story featuring a long-standing battle between 88 year old Julian Koenig and his once business partner, George Lois. The gist of the segment featured a debate of truth: who created the concept and wrote the copy to a specific magazine ad back in the 60s.

Admittedly, the story’s narrator, Sarah Koenig, who happened to be the daughter of Julian, said that the argument was fairly insignificant. She said that no one really cared about who wrote the groundbreaking advertisement 50 years ago. My reaction was mostly annoyance on the part of one man’s work being taken so easily by another man. Specifically, how easily it was done, and ultimately, how no one really cared.

Think of your work, or what you do day to day: is it important? What if someone took it from you? What if everyone believed someone else did what you did? What if they didn’t care and thought you were bothersome for even trying to correct any false assumption?

But that’s how life is. What we do may be important in the moment to some or many, but soon enough, it becomes insignificant, stupid, petty, forgettable… As years roll by and time sprints forward, people only care about what is current. Whatever it is in that moment, it will also pass.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Our life’s work, is recognized for a moment, then soon forgotten, reinvented, or taken by someone else (as in the case of Julian Koenig). Our best memories are tainted with forgetfulness, embellishment, or loss entirely. A daydream we had once may become reality, a lie may be told so long that it becomes truth to us. Who’s to know? Who’s to even care? Does it matter? To God it does.

The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. (Psalm 5:5,6)

To God we are all accountable. Our life and pursuits are not our own. The world and all its benefits may be around us, but these benefits should not draw us in to become our sole purpose.

In somewhat of a summary to the radio show, Julian’s daughter, Sarah, stated:

“I understand why he cares. He’s 88 years old now, so his legacy, understandably, is on his mind.”

Soon after in the show, Julian said of his life, his legacy:

“Advertising is built on puffery, on...at heart, deception. And I don’t think anyone can go proudly into the next world with a career built on deception”

Is this depressing? Yes it is. Our life and people in it will many times disappoint us. Eternity is what we should be living for now, no matter what age we are.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

-Posted by CAB