The story is told of the pranksters who broke in to a store one night and switched the price tags. Expensive items were marked absurdly low, and inexpensive items were tagged with outrageous prices. It has been suggested that this is a fitting illustration of the distorted values of things in the world.
"that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).
Jesus' statement might be referred to as "the spiritual law of inverse proportion". In other words, that which is most highly prized and valued in today's world is the most abhorrent in God's estimation.
The religious leaders in Jesus' day were the "prosperity preachers" of that age: "Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him" (Luke 16:14). Jesus' anti-materialistic statements were met with ridicule by these conceited and wealthy religious tyrants. Their perspective was that citizens of the kingdom of God should expect the blessings of the kingdom of this world. They had the mistaken notion that love for the realm of the kingdom of God could be coupled with love for the kingdom of this world; a notion that Jesus soundly rejected ("No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Luke 16:13).
The key focus is on who and what we serve and "highly esteem". It's possible to be wealthy and serve God, and to live in dire poverty and serve wealth. Again, the focus is on Who and what we truly serve.
There is a disturbing trend in today's christian culture. Certain churches, usually mega churches, are esteemed as models of "success". Highly visible church leaders and preachers enjoy celebrity status, not unlike popular actors and actresses. There is similar "esteeming" in this realm as there is in the world. And yet, according to Jesus' "spiritual law of inverse proportion", "that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God". It appears that some spiritual "price-tag swapping" is taking place!
The issue is not so much about what we do and do not have, but Who and what we serve. It's not about HAVING, but LOVING. And it's a pertinent question for any person in any culture.
Gaze cautiously at the world's deceptive price tags as you seek to serve the King and the kingdom this day.
Steve
"that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).
Jesus' statement might be referred to as "the spiritual law of inverse proportion". In other words, that which is most highly prized and valued in today's world is the most abhorrent in God's estimation.
The religious leaders in Jesus' day were the "prosperity preachers" of that age: "Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him" (Luke 16:14). Jesus' anti-materialistic statements were met with ridicule by these conceited and wealthy religious tyrants. Their perspective was that citizens of the kingdom of God should expect the blessings of the kingdom of this world. They had the mistaken notion that love for the realm of the kingdom of God could be coupled with love for the kingdom of this world; a notion that Jesus soundly rejected ("No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Luke 16:13).
The key focus is on who and what we serve and "highly esteem". It's possible to be wealthy and serve God, and to live in dire poverty and serve wealth. Again, the focus is on Who and what we truly serve.
There is a disturbing trend in today's christian culture. Certain churches, usually mega churches, are esteemed as models of "success". Highly visible church leaders and preachers enjoy celebrity status, not unlike popular actors and actresses. There is similar "esteeming" in this realm as there is in the world. And yet, according to Jesus' "spiritual law of inverse proportion", "that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God". It appears that some spiritual "price-tag swapping" is taking place!
The issue is not so much about what we do and do not have, but Who and what we serve. It's not about HAVING, but LOVING. And it's a pertinent question for any person in any culture.
Gaze cautiously at the world's deceptive price tags as you seek to serve the King and the kingdom this day.
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:41 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home