I wish I had watched more TV.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” – Jesus

Recently, I paid one of our sons to do some plumbing related work that will result in savings of around twenty dollars per month. He proposed that he would do the work for free if we would put the savings into getting Direct-TV. He suggested this since we do not have a connection to the world of TV networks, cable channels or satellite reception and he especially misses the ability to easily tune into sporting events. But, we turned him down.

A recent study showed that couples who have a television in their bedroom had a reduced sexual relationship. This demonstrates one of television’s major effects – diminished health of relationships. Instead of looking at each other and talking to one another, we look at the TV and our brief conversations are shaped and guided by its images and messages. One of the most significant hidden costs of TV is its negative effect on relationships. A newly married couple would be wise to avoid it. A family or couple who desires healthy relationships would be wise to avoid it.

We don’t totally avoid television, but it is very inconvenient for us to watch it. Recently, we went to a friend’s house to share in watching the NBA finals. The advertisement for some TV show had a quick image of a woman showing off her body and underwear. If a stranger came to your door and did this, you would call the police. But, on TV, this is considered good, clean fun. The advertised TV show no doubt delivers a message on morality that would have fit well in Sodom and Gomorrah. If you desire holiness, you would be wise to avoid it.

Who can estimate how much of our time is absorbed by the entertainment and interesting information constantly flowing from our TV? In addition, we now have the Internet soaking up our time. There is certainly some benefit but at what cost? How many goals have been missed, plans derailed, and dreams destroyed because of the magnetic and addictive power of TV to absorb our valuable and irreplaceable time? If you have dreams and goals for the future, you would be wise to avoid it.

There is a plentiful harvest but the workers are few. Where are the workers? Their love and compassion may have been drained off, their time absorbed and their spirits damaged by the copious information, demands and false messages of TV. If you want to be a worker for Jesus, you would be wise to avoid it.

How many people on their deathbed will say, "I wish I had watched more TV."