Ashton Kucher on Work, Manhood, and Conformity

This is surprisingly profound advice from a person whose public persona is as an intellectual lightweight.  The three ideas which Ashton Kucher presents in his short speech have parallels in Christianity. 

1.     Work is ennobling.  Kucher’s  best line is “opportunities look a lot like work.”  A Christian who is focused on Jesus will pay attention to details and will not take shortcuts which damage the quality of their work. You, the Christian, may not think that driving a cab, or cooking, or kicking a soccer ball is holy but that is what holiness means, separated for God, dedicated for God.  When ordinary work is done for God, it becomes holy.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

In Genesis 2:2, God’s activities in Creation are called “work.”  Genesis 2:15 says that man was created to work the earth.

2.     Kucher says that the traits of intelligence, generosity, and thoughtfulness in a man are “sexy” and that “everything else is crap.” The mature Christian man understands this.  Do not allow the world to confine you with its definitions of who you should be.  Be the Christ-like man into whom God is sanctifying you.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

The King James Version translates συλαγωγῶν as “spoil.”  It more accurately is “to carry off as spoil,” as in a treasure stolen by the victors in a battle. The New International Version translates the word as “takes you captive.”

3.     You do not have to be a sheep, living as the world tells you to.  Kusher is telling his listeners that they do not have to slavishly fit in, they do not have to follow the crowd.  Where this falls short of the Christian standard is in setting the ultimate standard as one’s own self.  The standard for the Christian is Jesus.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

Ashton Kuchner was raised in a Roman Catholic family but has said, "I try not to have religious beliefs.”  He is currently a student of the Kabbalah.