Famous and Rich

Ask the average American teenager what he wants most and in one form or another, you're likely to hear something about fame and wealth! In our media age, if a person finds a way to attract enough attention, money will often flow his way. The 'balloon boy' saga that came out of Colorado last week now seems to be a hoax, a case of a fame-obsessed Dad willing to lie, and even more tragically, willing to teach his little boys to lie, in pursuit of publicity and wealth. At this writing, various criminal charges are pending in the case being built around Richard Heene. This man is one of a cast of thousands of Americans who are willing to do almost anything to get the camera lens focused on them for a few moments. On our TV's there are programs featuring beautiful girls who will offer up their bodies to the eligible bachelor, people who allow cameras to film their lives 24/7, as they chase after celebrity! While media celebrity status is a relatively recent social development, the desire for attention is as old as humanity. The Bible, from beginning to end, has many examples of good people who were seduced by their desire to be admired.

• Joseph, whose story is told in Genesis, got himself in trouble by telling his family about his God-given dreams and wearing his 'many-colored' coat that his father gave him as a badge of his favored status. His brothers hated him for it and eventually sold him into slavery, so they wouldn't have to hear about "Mr. Wonderful" anymore!
• Samson could not be content to lead Israel quietly with his gift of strength. He had to show off for the pretty women and it cost him dearly! The man who was the judge of Israel finished his life turned a grinding wheel as a slave of the Philistines because he wouldn't stay home and be content.
• Jesus warned about religion as public performance with words we all need to read often. "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do-blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. ... When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get." (Matthew 6:1-2, 5, NLT)
• John speaks of a local church leader who turned his church into his own little kingdom. I hope that the indictment John lays on this elder could not be written about me: "Diotrephes, ...loves to be first." (3 John 9, NIV)

We need to pray for the discipline of contentment, learning to be the person God desires us to be, happy in His favor- whether obscure or famous, rich or poor. There is a special kind of sweetness that characterizes the person who no longer has the need to 'prove' anything, who is happy being who he is, where he is, and doing what he does without craving approval or recognition. That person has also gained a freedom that is unique. He is not defensive, nor is he fearful. He does not manipulate or pretend. He is authentic!

Here's a word from the Word. As you read it today, let the wisdom go deep into your soul. Pray that God will shape your life in a way that finds His favor and let His smile be your richest reward. "(Some) infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there's an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck. A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough. But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time." (1 Timothy 6:4-9, The Message)

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised." (Proverbs 27:21, NLT)