Clint Eastwood just says NO to vanity in the music biz

Christian musicians have a fine line to walk between ego and humility.

What I mean is that, although you gotta have some stage presence mentality if you want to promote your music, and if you claim to be doing God's work (which I believe most are), you have that old serpent, Satan, tugging at your flesh constantly to excite and compress that Pride of Life button that he likes to push on believers. How not to be tricked into temptation by all the glitter, glory and fandom? Let's bounce this so you can add to your own mix.

First of all, you have to admit that God is not mocked or fooled.  You can't say one thing to Him in public (or in private) and deep in your heart be thinking bling. The Old Testament is full of hypocrites who Jehovah burned to a crisp for doing just that sort of thing, plus Jesus himself was clear on the subject when he said, "You can't serve God and mammon. You will either love or hate the other." (Matt 6:24). But the Son of God talked a lot about money also during his brief earth gig, especially in his parables, so he knew the reality of making ends meet. And if you know what's sinful about collecting royalties for your pure creative efforts, let me know because I just don't see it. However, I'm pretty sure that it's the love of those royalties and fan sentiments that could be the stumbling block in your walk with God.

In the end, I believe we are all on our own in this matter as I see it falling under the category of 'working out your salvation with fear and trembling' because, if you are a true believer and have been washed clean with the blood and reborn, than the mysterious and super dynamite cosmic power of the Holy Spirit that created the stars, heavens and all things on earth is alive in you. And if you meditate long enough on that either through prayer or music or both, then your Humble FX effect will be snapped to grid just right. But then Clint Eastwood cut it to the quick in his classic flick, Pale Rider, when he, playing an impoverished itinerant preacher who teamed up with some persecuted town people to fight the local evil and greedy business demagogue, shot down the guy's offer to build him a church complete with a congregation. Check it out: