The Temptation of Wealth and Power
Last night Charlie Simineo and I traveled from Estes Park to Fort Collins and back. We had the opportunity to hear Mark Batterson at Timberline Church and then return to Estes Park to hear Jeff Lucas’ message. Mark Batterson shared one of the most inspiring messages on prayer that I have ever heard. You can check it out at www.timberlinechurch.org This morning Jim Szakmeister closed out the retreat with a strong challenge for the men to “live the adventure” that they were challenged to choose during the weekend.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours.” Luke 4:5-7 HCSB
When we just read on the surface the three recorded temptations of Jesus by Satan, they can be difficult to related to. Who has the power to turn “stone to bread”? Who is going to face the temptation of jumping off a high building and having God rescue them? We can’t be tempted by that which is beyond us or we can’t related to.
We realize that the specifics are different, but the concepts are the same. We are tempted by our natural desires, we are tempted when we are called to, “prove ourselves” or when our faith is tested and called into question. But one of the greatest temptations we face is one of misplaced priorities and worship.
A country singer of old by name of Tennessee Ernie Ford, popularized a song about coal miners. The song included the words, “You load sixteen tons, what do you get, Another day older and deeper in debt, Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to the company store.”
People of all times have “struggled to get ahead.” As a result there is the temptation to “get rich quick.” We allow the world around to dictate our priorities and focus. Yielding to that temptation can be reflected in many ways. Going into debt, gambling, perpetual worry, “living beyond your means” It may not be an attempt to “gain the splendor of all the kingdoms of the world” but there is still a desire to have, to possess and to control.
We see in the Bible that Satan offered Jesus, “all the kingdoms of the world” in exchange for His worship. We read that Satan makes the same offer to another. He failed with “the Christ” but he will succeed with the “Anti-Christ.”
The currency Satan is desiring is “worship.” That has always been Satan’s end game. He craves and desires and distorts the worship that belongs alone to God. We may not be vulnerable to the actual “worship” of Satan, but we are vulnerable to giving credence and value to a world system inspired by Satan. One that replaces God’s priorities with the priorities of the world.
Jesus during His ministry recognized the pressing and undue focus on things, or just making in life without “owing your soul to the company store” or worse Satan. So He told His disciples that the right focus, leads to provisions the security that we seek. “Things” can be great servants, but serve as harsh taskmasters.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and [then] all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33 HCSB)
It is easy to think, “things first and then God.” But the pattern of blessing is “God first!” When your focus with right, your future will be secure. That has ramifications for this life and the next life. When Christ “owns your soul” you never have to be concerned about when, “Saint Peter may call.”