Your Affection Relationship: Jesus as the Lover of Your Soul

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”  (Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor.)  The Bible indicates that God would rather you hate Him, persecute Him or fight Him than be indifferent to Him.  He called it being “lukewarm.” “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” Revelation 3:15. God can take a zealot’s hatred and convert it to intense love as He did in turning Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul, but He despises indifference.  The bottom line is that God wants your love.  Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.^” This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37-38.

Nothing is more personal than your love life.  Your Christian convictions can influence your money, career, legal status, leadership, and more, but when it comes to who or what you love, it gets serious.  But, this is as it should be.  If God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, then we should be prepared to surrender to Him our closest and most intimate feelings. 

Total Investment 

How much did it cost Jesus to save you?  Incalculable.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8. We state it this way because the one significant measure by which we evaluate the worth of a relationship is the amount invested.  Willingness to die for someone signifies total investment.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:7-8.  An old anthem of the church says, “I love Him, I love Him, because He first loved me; and purchased my salvation on Calvary.” 

Calvary represents the culmination of our salvation’s cost, but the full picture of Christ’s love for the church encompasses even more than the cross.  It started before the foundation of the world.  Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.  1 Peter 1:18-20.  The unbroken crimson stream flows from Genesis to Revelation.  “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16. The entirety of the Scriptures testify of Jesus and His relationship with the Church.  His is a forever love. 

God desires reciprocity.  If He gave everything for you, then it is only right that your love for Him should rise to the same level.  He wants no flirtations, aficionados, dilettantes, or mere acquaintances.  He wants your heart. But God be thanked that …  you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Romans 6:17. 

An Exclusive Relationship 

The monogamous template for marriage that we find in the Bible reflects God’s value system.  He created us with both the inclination and the capacity to have an intimacy that is so deep, so private and so meaningful that it cannot possibly be shared with another.  We speak of it in terms of “my one and only,” “the love of my life,” or “my soulmate.”  It is the one person we want to be closer to than anyone else on the planet.  For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Mark 10:7-8. That level of intimacy precludes a similar kind of relationship with any third person.  In the same way, God wants you for Himself alone.  

This attribute of God led him to place a severe curse on the sin of adultery.  The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 20:10. Why is adultery more egregious than other sins?  Because adultery stems from a traitorous heart, disrespect for one’s spouse, contempt for the marriage vows and a lack of understanding.  Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.  Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. Proverbs 6:32-33.  Entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ carries the same weight as taking the vows of marriage.  Christianity must be seen as an exclusive choice, not an alternative belief system or a social expediency.  Jesus is your soulmate.

Guard Your Heart Against Rival Suitors 

In light of Christ’s total investment in you and His desire for an exclusive relationship, be alert to wavering or to any challenges to your commitment to Him.  In our imperfect flesh, we are subject to temptation, emotional fatigue and wandering thoughts.  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9-10.  Remember, no relationship goes untested.  Invariably, something or someone will challenge your love for Christ. 

The source of the challenge could be Satan himself.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9.  Make no mistake, however, about the deceptive nature of the devil.  Sans horns and pitchfork, he appears as an angel of light sporting promises that seem far more pleasurable than you presently have in Jesus.  His lies are incredibly believable.  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9. Be assured, however, that Satan cannot penetrate the covering you have in the blood of Christ.  He can only, by deceit and lies, lure you out from under that covering. 

Other people can also pry your grip loose from God if you allow them to do so.  Humans tend to identify with other humans, even those who are hostile to Christ.  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8. Family, associates and close friends exert a powerful influence on us.  Through weakness, we may succumb to their wishes in hope of their approval and support.  Pitfalls like these open up when we drift into carnality and our spirituality wanes. 

Therefore, you need to walk in the Spirit, immersing yourself in the Word of God, and defending your mind with a full understanding of salvation, faith, righteousness and truth as Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12-18.  Consistent, daily prayer keeps these defenses active.  It is only as you remain aware of your weaknesses that you can stay strong.  Do not boast of your personal strength.  God’s reply to Paul in the midst of the apostle’s weakness was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. 

Love Your Neighbor 

Your relationship with Jesus Christ affects your interpersonal relationships with all others.  Jesus reiterated the Mosaic law when He said, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.  You cannot hate others and love Christ at the same time.  Again, Jesus makes this truth abundantly clear.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44. 

The Apostle John camps on this truth.  If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:20-21.  Some have excused prejudice, discrimination, partiality and hatred as somehow honoring the laws of God.  Such feelings are mired in the depths of deception and perversion.  Prejudice against anyone, whether a brother or not, and whether due to race, skin pigmentation, nationality, disability or socioeconomic status, cannot be defended for any reason.  Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:25-27.  Jesus Himself, as a Jew, belonged to a minority and often persecuted sect.  For anyone to justify discrimination and yet claim allegiance to Christ is the height of hypocrisy.  It is, rather, the exact opposite that proves our relationship to Christ.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 1 John 5:2.

Equal Yokes 

In the context of loving Jesus, we must also weigh our relationship with others, especially one with whom we consider marriage or even a business partnership.  This law is found in typology in the Old Testament.  You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. Deuteronomy 22:10. The obvious reason is that the two animals differ in nature, strength and temperament.  They will work against each other.  If you have a mindset to serve Christ, you do yourself a major disservice to marry or partner with someone who is antagonistic to God, or even indifferent to Him.  Those who have tried it have forfeited the beauty of unity in order to satisfy their carnal desires or their self-will.  

Approach a marriage proposal or all prospective unions with your relationship with Christ uppermost in your mind.  Absolutely nothing should eclipse the importance of Jesus Christ in your life.  You would be wise to never begin a relationship if there is doubt about the desire or intent of the person in question.  The Apostle Paul spells out the reasoning behind this truth to the Corinthians.  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.  In my many years of pastoral service, I have seen too many naïve or disobedient Christians try to prove the Apostle Paul, and their pastor, wrong.  Without fail, they have either lost their relationship with God or they have severely crippled their effective Christian witness or potential ministry.  Those who have entered into business partnerships with unbelievers soon regretted their venture.  Difficulties arise with the closest of friends; how much harder is it to head in totally different directions in life?  Your relationship with Christ should set the parameters for all other relationships.

Love Not the World 

The world around us remains one of the most relentless adversaries that fights against our union with Christ.  With its sights and sounds, its beauties and pleasures, its promises of fame and fortune, it presents itself as a nearly irresistible influence in our lives.  Two aspects of this influence should alarm us: 1) the excitement it holds and, 2) the evil it possesses.  The Apostle John writes, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15-16. 

The deleterious effects of the world on a Christian poses a solemn reason why we should not love the world.  For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica.  2 Timothy 4:10. Demas, evidently, was enamored with the styles, fashions and trends of first century culture.  While the Scripture hints that he recovered from his mistake, it probably left regrettable scars on his life, not to mention the void in his ministry caused by the hiatus.  Moreover, the “things in the world” offer fleeting pleasure at best. They will not last. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10. To love the world is to sacrifice eternity for time, fullness for emptiness, joy for fun and the true love of Jesus for the false friendship of the world.  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4. 

A solid, impermeable relationship with Jesus secures you with the One who loves you more than anyone else in the world.  You cannot hope for a greater position or feeling here or in eternity.   Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God …  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:1-2. 

Your Leadership Relationship: Jesus as Lord

The topic of leadership dominates the corporate conference and seminar circuit.  Around the world, businesses, associations and groups of every kind know that their viability rises and falls on the quality of their leadership.  Styles and strategies of leaders, from ancient to modern times, from exotic cultures to the cyber-culture, from cruel despots to coalition managers, from militants like Genghis Kahn to pacifists like Mahatma Gandhi, have been analyzed ad nauseam. Speculation on the best style of leadership runs the gamut from autocratic to participative, from visionary to coaching, and from pacesetting to affiliative.  We hear voices from actual leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan, and also from scholars who only study leadership like Kurt Lewin, Daniel Goleman and Jim Collins.  With all of this, we’re still not sure what it is.  We continue to develop an understanding of effective leadership. 

Definitions of leadership vary from simple to complex.  “Leadership is influence.”  (John Maxwell). “A leader is someone who has followers.”  (Peter Drucker).  It can’t get much simpler than that.  Balance that with this: “Leadership creates an inspiring vision of the future; motivates and inspires people to engage with that vision; manages delivery of the vision; coaches and builds a team, so that it is more effective at achieving the vision.  Leadership brings together the skills needed to do these things.”  (Bernard M. Bass).  The wide breadth of leadership as a topic precludes a thorough treatment here, so let’s narrow our focus to this lead sentence: How does your relationship with Jesus Christ shape your leadership profile? 

At the outset, understand that leadership is a function of your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Paul told the Corinthians, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you, imitate me.” 1 Corinthians 4:15-16. Later, he wrote, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV).  These declarations reveal the secret of Paul’s leadership.  Although the Apostle’s unique giftings were integral to his leadership, he saw himself as a conduit through which the leadership of Christ flowed.  He fleshed this out to the Ephesians.  “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:6-8 (NKJV) Rather than humility, this seems to be deeper than a self-deprecating remark.  Paul operated out of the conviction that he had no right to be who he was.  Given the fact that he once persecuted the church, he owed any leadership he now had to the grace of God.

Leadership must put the Lordship of Christ on prominent display. Leaders who do not submit to Christ Jesus, not only as Savior, but also as Lord, disqualify themselves for leadership. 

Your Leadership Must Advance the Cause of Christ 

Church leaders must eschew the attitude of free-lance professionals, individualists or mercenaries who operate independently of outside control.  We signed on to be ambassadors for Christ—chosen, trained and sent, to fight the good fight of faith and win the lost.   Paul reminded the Corinthians that he was not a self-appointed Apostle.  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? 1 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV). He was conscripted to fight for the kingdom, not to exploit the fight for selfish purposes, or not as an opportunist who looks to every situation for self-aggrandizement.    It would be absurd to start your own war and then personally answer the call to arms.  

Everything about your leadership must reflect your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Sermons must focus on Christ and Him crucified.  Bible studies must explain the Word of God more perfectly.  Church polity must be organized to facilitate the Gospel.  Church programs must move people closer to the goal of emulating Christ.  Expenditures of God’s money must underwrite the cost of the kingdom mission. 

These observations may seem basic, but some leaders regard the church as serving them, instead of them serving the church.  One critic sarcastically said that no Christian entrepreneur misses a chance to commercialize the Gospel.  If you have been called to a position of leadership in the church, you have no other purpose than to advance the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.  The Apostle Peter said, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”  1 Peter 5:1-4. 

A Leader Assumes Responsibility for His Followers 

No position requires more trust from people than that of a minister of the gospel.  Aside from some broad parameters intrinsic to the job, you have a free hand to set your own schedule, you design and implement the spiritual program for the church, and, in most cases, you hire and fire the people who work with you.  The critical factor, however, is that you wield an almost unchecked influence over your congregation.  From your pulpit, you can lead people into a radically different set of beliefs than they originally held.  As sheep, they can be led, manipulated, persuaded, indoctrinated, duped, trained and used.  Most of the time, congregants desire to please their pastor; where he leads them, they are likely to follow.  I remind church leaders that they will be held accountable for the welfare of their charges.  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17. As a leader, you can uphold or tear down doctrines, you can praise or criticize organizations, you can rule with an iron fist or you can allow a lax and permissive climate to prevail in the church.  These are not unfounded speculations.  I have personally witnessed heartbreaking disasters occur under rebel leaders.  

This kind of power can go to a person’s head.  Whole congregations have been led astray by leaders who forgot their real responsibility to those who followed them.  The souls entrusted to your keeping are not plastic soldiers to be toyed with; they are not nobodies who are expendable in the leader’s world; they are not laboratory animals to be used for experimentation; they are not adoring fans of a charismatic pastor; they are not resources to service and fund a narcissistic leader’s whims and wishes. The Apostle Paul outlines the character of a bishop for Timothy, but the profile also fits all church leaders.  This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

Good Leaders Value People 

The sign emblazoned on the side of the eighteen-wheel tractor trailer rig said, “Our company’s greatest asset sits sixty-four feet in front of this spot.”  It was a creative way to say that the company valued its employees.  Leaders who place a high value on their people incentivize them to do their best, and the church reaps the benefits.  

As a leader, you should never use sarcasm to motivate people.  You should never belittle, shame, insult or humiliate those you are called to lead.  Besides being abusive, these tactics fail to inspire in the short term, and they become counter-productive in the future.  Even when you are frustrated, or you have been mistreated as was the Apostle Paul in Philippi, your response must always be measured and kind.  But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8. 

A good leader:  1) Equips people for ministry.  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12; 2) Creates opportunities for people to do ministry. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21; 3) Encourages people to be their best.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15; and 4) Continues to affirm people in their calling.  When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:5-7.  

Good Leaders Monitor Their Own Spirit 

Leader cannot effectively preach what they do not practice.  Your followers must be able to see in you love, sacrifice, endurance, discipline, genuine care and all the other attributes that define leadership.  Without these traits, you will be perceived as fraudulent, not true to your own convictions.  Eventually, the message you broadcast by your speech will live or die by the character you model before your people.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Your Career Must Complement the Mission of the Church

(This is the final segment in chapter eighteen of the book “Hand in Hand: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus Christ.”)

Your Career Must Complement the Mission of the Church 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Psalm 37:23. Based on this verse, your career path should be squarely in the will of God.  If God has blessed you with a good job, understand that He did not act aimlessly or frivolously.  Purpose guides every divine act. When God struck Saul of Tarsus down on the Damascus Road, He said, “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.” Acts 26:16. God did not arrest Saul on his way to persecute Christians merely to flex His muscles against an enemy.  He had an overarching purpose in mind.  He intended to transform the church’s greatest enemy into her greatest advocate. 

Embrace the fact that God did not give you your job simply because He felt generous that day.  He did not have your personal welfare and kingdom in mind.  He positioned you in a strategic place for His glory.  In your world, you are an Esther of whom Mordecai said, “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14. You have been given a voice, an opportunity and a mandate to speak the hope of salvation to someone. 

As mentioned earlier, the fledgling band of disciples returned to Jerusalem after Christ’s ascension with specific instructions to await the advent of the Holy Spirit.  He was to come, not just for the spectacular display recorded in Acts 2:1-4, but to empower the church for her daunting mission ahead.  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8. Your job gives you with an income with which you can provide for your family, pay your tithes and give offerings to the church.  But it is also a means by which God can accomplish His will in the world through you.  Notwithstanding your preparation for the job, He opened doors for you that He could have allowed to remain shut.  He gave you favor with decision-makers who selected you for the job over others who may have been more qualified.  He orchestrated the position to be created and timed it so it would become available to you.  Now, He wants you to use your position to shine His light in a dark place.  You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16.

You Are a Full-Time Christian and a Part-Time Everything Else 

Everything that happens to you, every advantage you enjoy, every blessing you receive and opportunity that comes your way are not coincidental to your relationship with Jesus Christ. They define your existence as a Christian.  You are not an executive who happens to be a Christian; you are a Christian who happens to be an executive.  You are not a nurse who happens to be a Christian; you are a Christian who happens to be a nurse.  This establishes two salient points. 

First, it identifies your real employer.  It is natural to feel some allegiance and loyalty towards the individual who hired you.  You have a sense of gratitude for your job, and you demonstrate a willingness to please the one who has the power to let you go if he or she so desires.  By realizing that you are a full-time Christian, you direct that gratitude and obedient spirit to God.  If you are beholden to anyone, it is to Him, not to a temporal boss.  This does not mean that you show any disrespect to an earthly leader, but that your primary allegiance goes to your Heavenly Father. This deference is based on the fact that God holds your eternal destiny in His hand.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28. To state this principle in a positive way, remember that you are never unemployed.  If you lose your job, change your job, get demoted or get promoted, it doesn’t matter.  You’ll always have a full-time position.  You don’t get wages, but the gifts make up for it, and the benefits are out of this world! 

Second, it imposes a uniform standard and evaluation on every believer.  Every soul is worth the same in the church.  There may be a system of eldership, and church governance means some anointed leaders provide oversight to the body, yet no one is more important than anyone else in the kingdom.   Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:37-40.  In God’s economy, no one is more valuable than you.  You are not expendable, you cannot be terminated, you are not subject to downsizing, and your position will never be phased out.  You will undergo performance reviews, but these are designed to help you get better.  Training is always available, and you may have as close a relationship to the Owner as you desire. 

Your ultimate success in the pursuit of your career has nothing to do with six or seven figures in your salary.  The name placard on your office door, the position you occupy on the organizational chart, the accolades you receive or the awards you achieve do not measure your real success.  Some people may earn all of these temporal honors and yet fail miserably.  You will always define your success by your relationship with your Lord Jesus Christ.  If you do become successful in terms of this world’s standards, it is only the blessing of God, and it is only because God has put you where you could provide the best benefit to His kingdom.  Joseph represents the classic example of this truth.  And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life … And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 45:4-8.

Your Career Should Express Your God-Given Talents and Abilities

(This is the next segment in the chapter “Your Career Relationship:  Jesus as Success.”) 

Your Career Should Express Your God-given Talents and Abilities 

Would you like to be on vacation the rest of your life?  Success gurus often tell us that if you love what you do, you won’t have to work for a living.  A slight exaggeration, perhaps, but the thought is appreciated.  Whenever your daily routines allow you to be the very person you want to be, you can drop out of the rat race.  You can live without mental stress, cognitive dissonance and monotonous repetitions.  You don’t have to be like millions of workers who feel trapped in dead-end jobs and hate every moment they spend in their workplace.  They live only for paychecks and weekends.  

The best way to tell the difference between a job and a career is that a job is something you have to do, whereas a career is something you choose to do.  “A job is something you do to in the short term to earn cash. It’s filling a work role within a business exchange for money. A career, though, is a long-term pursuit of a lifelong ambition.”  www.nextnetwork.ca.com.  An additional qualifier is that a career takes full advantage of your talents and abilities.     

Your relationship with Jesus Christ means that your values and principles shine through His prism.  Jesus releases you to grow to your full stature.  In His dispute with the Pharisees about living free from bondage, He responded, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:34-36.  Don’t overlook the little word translated as indeed.   It comes from the Greek ontos, meaning certainly or really.  While the context is different, the principle is the same.  If you are really free, then you are from the masters of fear, doubt, intimidation and a debilitation sense of inadequacy as well. 

Once again, we can learn from the woman with the alabaster box.  But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could.” Mark 14:6-8.  God created each of us with unique giftings.  Accordingly, He always encourages us to operate within those giftings and to be free to act on our abilities.  To be sure, we must respect the process of growth, maturation and timing, but God gives us innate abilities.  He wants us to express, not suppress, them as He opens the door.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12. 

Your Career Must Not Compromise Your Christian Principles 

Many people in business or professional careers justify violating ethics and integrity as the cost of doing business.  Lying, cheating, defrauding and manipulating data goes on constantly around us.  Contractors rip-off customers by cutting corners or using defective materials, and professionals pull shady deals in order to make an additional buck.  Associations like Home Advisor, Handyman Service and Angie’s List have sprung up to help find an honest contractor.  The Better Business Bureau, Consumer’s Reports and other groups also try to expose fraudulent companies and educate the public on scams and fly-by-night outfits.  

In the corporate setting, many sales personnel and/or executives are expected to toe the company line, regardless of the impact it might have on one’s individual convictions or character.   Accountants, for example, have been pressured to “cook the books” to land a lucrative client or to seal a deal that would result in a windfall profit.  Had they refused to obey orders, they would have lost their job.  Pharmaceutical companies have been known to force chemical engineers to suppress negative studies in order to expedite the marketing of a new medication.  WorldCom, Enron, Siemens, Volkswagen, Bernie Madoff and more, are all names making the blacklist of corporate and professional scandals.  

These illegal and unethical practices are incompatible with righteous values.  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10. For a career-minded person to excuse their crimes (sins) to preserve his or her job indicates a drastically dysfunctional relationship with Christ.  Christian principles cannot bend any more than truth can be flexible.  When your commitment to Christ is tested by pressure to do wrong, Christ must win regardless of the cost.  

Your Relationship with Jesus Christ Trumps Your Career 

The typical demands of most jobs do not involve corruption.  Keeping a position, however—especially one that is critically important—often calls for expending huge amounts of time and energy.  Career analysts profile the most demanding jobs in terms of stress level, work hours and physical demands.  One company lists the hardest white-collar jobs in this order: surgeon, senior corporate executive, physician (general practice), psychiatrist, attorney, judge, clergy and pharmacist.   Their counterparts in the blue-collar field are: firefighter, police officer, roustabout, sailor, construction foreman, truck driver, automobile repair person and tool-and-die maker.  www.careercast.com.  Sandwiched in somewhere are entrepreneurs, small business owners, and maybe a few bounty hunters!  

Moreover, the demands do not always come from up the chain of command.  Employees can put much pressure on themselves if they are trying to keep their job, earn more money or compete with others for position or reward.  The costs of prioritizing your job over your spiritual life, however, are far greater than one might think.  If you recall the map analogy in Chapter Twelve, imagine making a wrong turn on a road that leads you in the opposite direction than your intended destination.  After traveling for a while, you realize you are going the wrong way, so, you make another turn.  That results in a disastrous choice.  Each turn only makes matters worse.  So also, the harrowing experience of keeping a boss happy, keeping a family happy, keeping your sanity, staying healthy and pleasing God may prove to be an impossible mission.  The whole problem begins with the first wrong turn.  

Wrong turns on a career path can happen when your job requires a move that takes you away from a good church family.  They can happen when you are required to spend an inordinate amount of time separated from your natural and spiritual family.  They can happen when you are forced to socialize in parties and out-of-office functions with people who have little or no respect for your Christian convictions.  They can happen when you are thrown together with those who threaten your marital faithfulness.  

Your relationship with Jesus Christ sets constraints on your career decisions.  You must determine that you will stay on the right road from the beginning. How do you stay on the right road?  If a decision doesn’t pass the prayer test, don’t do it.  If the decision contradicts the pastor’s strong admonition, don’t do it.  If you family relationship gets hurt or even strained by the decision, don’t do it.  If the decision isolates you from your church connections, don’t do it.  If your spiritual welfare will definitely come under attack by your decision, don’t do it.  The first wrong turn is most critical.  Don’t deviate from the right pathway.  But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62.

Your Career Relationship: Jesus as Success

(This is the first segment of the next chapter in the book “Hand in Hand: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus Christ.)

The closest thing to Harvard or Yale in Judea 2000 years ago was probably the University of Gamaliel or Hillel College.  Economics or psychology were not program options.  If you didn’t want to learn Jewish theology, you need not apply.  Well, there might have been another subject concentration on Hebrew law, or maybe a minor in scrivening.   I am being facetious, of course, (there were no such institutions, although Gamaliel and Hillel were renowned Jewish teachers) but, it turned out that the limited choices didn’t present much of a problem in the first century because most men in those days knew what their vocation would be from the time they learned to walk.  They were destined to be fishermen, farmers, shepherds or some kind of tradesman or craftsman.  Oh yes, I meant to say “men,” because most women didn’t even entertain the possibility of higher education. 

High tech complexity hijacked boring simplicity many years ago.  Career choices today are so numerous that it’s not out of the question for one to get an advanced degree in Twenty-First Century Career Choices.  Before your suspicions that this is hyperbole take root, note the following actual college offerings:  Adventure Education, Astrobiology, Bagpiping, Beatleology (yep, the Beatles, not the beetles), Bowling, Clowning and Comics, Horseshoeing, Fermentation Sciences, Nannying, Puppetry, Surfing (as in ocean), Theme Parks, Ecogastronomy (environment-friendly food production) and Enigmatology (the study of puzzles). 

These facts reveal the convoluted landscape of educational programs and career trajectories that pester the minds of today’s youth.  We all could wish for easier answers for beginners in the world of work, but the Bible sticks with generic strategies like prayer, seeking the will of God, and establishing right goals in life.  In the long run, it doesn’t seem to matter what job a person takes to realize those outcomes.  Still, we all have preferences, predilections and personal favorites, plus, we also have finite resources, aptitudes and opportunities.  We seem to be best suited to do one job, or at least to find a job in a certain field.  Sooner or later, we have to zero in on a particular choice—to the exclusion of everything else—and make the best of it.  How does one sort through the array of possibilities to determine exactly what career path to follow? 

These decisions and choices seem daunting to the world, but believers are not trying to find their ultimate purpose as if they were being tossed around in a dark and shadowy bounce house.  Believers enjoy a distinct advantage over all the others because of their relationship with Jesus.  We find the standard strategy in Proverbs: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.  Choosing a career is like buying a house: you may not know which house you will end up with, but you definitely know the neighborhood you want.  In this analogy, the neighborhood is your belief system.  Focus on your faith and trust God to help you find the right career.  Here are a few things to factor into your decision.   

Reflect the Values of Jesus Christ in Your Career 

Values, as a word, needs a definition to have a full impact, but essentially it refers to ideals that are vital to a wholesome life. Your career selection should reinforce family relationships, love for God, respect for others, moral integrity and it should make a positive contribution to society.  When you study the life of Jesus, the central themes of His ministry become clear.  For example, He forgave sinners, healed the brokenhearted, had compassion on the hurting, spoke out against spiritual fraud, manifested humility and gave Himself up for righteous causes.  Your career or vocation should serve as a window through which the world can see Jesus in operation.  

Juxtapose these criteria with those of your secular counterparts.  How do they choose an occupation?  The most common questions prospective job seekers ask follow along these lines: 1) Is the money good? 2) How stressful is the job? 3) Will I like the boss? 4) What is the general atmosphere of the workplace?  5) Will this job prepare me for the next level?  Other considerations involve things like stability of the position, location, impact on significant others, perceived social status, intellectual challenge and the range of perquisites.  

Believer may weigh these aspects as well, but they also factor in Christian values.  Like multiplying a sum by a positive or negative number, the values question may change everything.  Everything on the carnal level may say yes, but if the God level says no, then no it is.  Or, vice versa.  Jonah, the reluctant prophet, rejected his calling out of bitterness and dislike of the job.   But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:3. That didn’t turn out so well.  Our proper response goes back to the Proverbs principle.  Jesus expressed the same truth another way.  “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:32-34.

Your Career Choice Should Be the Result of Earnest Prayer 

More talks have been made in churches about prayer than perhaps on any other subject.  If talking about prayer could be turned into actual praying, we would probably be much better off!  Prayer is a staple of the disciples’ life.  The patriarchs prayed.  The prophets prayed.  Jesus prayed.  The disciples implored Jesus to teach them how to pray. We all know that we need to pray and that prayer works.  The Bible is filled with examples of power answers to prayer: 

Moses prayed and God spared Israel from judgment. Joshua prayed and God caused the sun to stand still. Samson prayed and God gave him back his strength. Hannah prayed and God gave her a baby boy, the prophet Samuel. Solomon prayed and God gave him wisdom.  Elijah prayed and God sent fire down from Heaven. Elijah prayed again and rain fell in abundance. Elisha prayed and God restored life to a dead child.  Jonah prayed and God delivered him out of the belly of the whale. The thief on the cross prayed, and God gave him eternal life.  Paul and Silas prayed and the prison was shaken!  Who wouldn’t want to pray with these kinds of results? 

Praying for direction in one’s own life, however, seems different.  It puts more pressure on us because of the imminent decision, a rapidly closing window of time, and a little fear and trepidation that it might not be the right choice.  Here’s the key:  prayer is not a one-way street.  This kind of praying calls for attentive listening to hear the voice of God. How serious is this need?  Jesus said, “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’” Matthew 13:13-15.  Isaiah’s reprimand, of course, was a parochial rebuke of the nation of Israel for their recalcitrance, but his plea to listen to the voice of God has universal application. 

Honest prayer means prayer without prejudice.  When it comes to praying about our own welfare and future, it is hard to avoid leaning in a particular direction.  But prayer that begins with a made-up mind can’t hear a contrary voice very well.  God may point you in a direction that the flesh resists.  Jonah remains the prime example, but other Bible figures also fit the narrative, like Moses, Gideon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Saul of Tarsus.  All of the found success, however, when they laid down their fears and prejudices and consented to the will of God.

Materialism Breeds Envy

(This is the final segment of the chapter on “Your Worldly Goods Relationship:  Jesus as the Pearl of Great Price)

Materialism Breeds Envy 

Materialism often provokes the dark evil of envy to surface.  Envy is defined as a feeling of discontentment or resentment aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.  We find it in another list of detestable sins, as Paul wrote to the Romans.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers.  Romans 1:28-29.  Envy bears the blame for the arrest of Jesus and His deliverance to Pilate.  For he [Pilate] knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. Mark 15:10. Eventually, envy is a cancer to anyone who is possessed of it.  A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. Proverbs 14:30. 

Covetousness simply wants what others have, whereas envy allows the desire for someone else’s possessions to corrupt the heart and become an obsession.  Envy is covetousness on steroids.  Darlene Lancer traces the deadly path envy takes: “We may even feel superior and disparage the person we envy. A malignant narcissist might go so far as to sabotage, misappropriate, or defame the envied person, all the while unconscious of feeling inferior. Arrogance and aggression serve as defenses along with envy. Generally, the degree of our devaluation or aggression is commensurate with the extent of underlying shame.”  www.psychcentral.com  Your motivation to buy should be based on a demonstrable need, not on what others have.  

In a larger sense, envy is disruptive and antithetical to the will of God in your life.  All things being equal, the realities of your life are the product of your willingness to fulfill God’s will for you, not for someone else.  In a famous exchange with Jesus, Peter asked about the will of God for his fellow disciple, John.  Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” John 21:22-23. Each person’s possessions, talents, blessings and destiny involve that person alone. 

Envy is incompatible with Christ. A true relationship with Jesus Christ reveals and removes envious feelings.  Our Lord displayed an anti-materialistic attitude; He focused on the spiritual welfare of others instead of the things they possessed—unless He discerned that their possessions were detrimental to their souls.  If your brother or sister inherits material or financial blessings, make it a cause for rejoicing, not envying.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15.

Do Not Let Your Possessions Possess You 

A popular expression goes, “The two happiest days of my life are 1) the day I got my swimming pool, and 2) the day I got rid of my swimming pool!”   It’s just another way of saying that a long-anticipated possession quickly became a tiresome burden, or you got what you wanted but you didn’t want what you got.  It’s the nature of accumulated stuff.  Many people start out thinking they own their possessions.  Then, upkeep costs, maintenance chores, loan payments, insurance premiums and security issues blast and nearly bankrupt them.  Eventually, they realize that their possessions actually own them. 

The more you have, the more you become a prisoner to what you have.  If you opine about the preciousness of freedom, don’t put your own wrists into handcuffs and ankles into chains of your own making.  It is far better to live as simply as possible and remain free to follow Christ wherever He might lead.  Had the rich, young ruler not been tied to his possessions, he would have been free to follow Christ.  Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:21-22.  Concerning the Old Testament law, Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1. Possessions can be just as oppressive a taskmaster as was the Law to the Pharisees.  Possessions can also entangle people in a yoke of bondage.  Another popular slogan fits here: “less is more.”  That’s a small package of wisdom.

Learn How to Abound; Learn How to Suffer Loss 

Whether you have many possessions or few, your quality of life remains constant if the premise is a relationship with Jesus Christ.  In my observation, great blessing can be as disastrous as great loss—sometimes, even more so.  People who become too attached to their possessions, or who enjoy their newly acquired gains too much are vulnerable to a spirit that is not Christ-like.  But, the task is to define the “too.”  How do you know when you are overdoing it?  One way is to take yourself through this little exercise: Imagine that you were suddenly reduced to nothing—no house, no car, no bank account, nothing but clothes on your back and the shoes on your feet. How would you feel?  What would be the saving, stabilizing factor in your life?  Could you see yourself surviving?  That experience, even though it takes place in your imagination, must become the default position of your existence.  If you can look to Jesus Christ as your life’s true value—the Pearl of Great Price—then you can hold your possessions at arm’s length.  You can remain free from a materialistic spirit  

Dealing with a surplus of blessing is probably preferred over a lack of blessing, but what if the unthinkable happens?  A catastrophic loss throws people up against a brick wall where nothing is the same, the look and feel of life is forever transformed.  How does one come back from that horrific event? Again, the Apostle Paul speaks to this situation.  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:12. Paul did not boast that these reactions were automatic.  They had to be learned.  The learning process was brutal.  Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30. 

“When people tell me that my life is so much better now and they wish it would happen to them, it is well-intentioned, of course, and comes from a place of deep longing, I think. It is that longing for simplicity, that longing for the freedom of youth, when we had no “stuff,” and few responsibilities, and lots of dreams. What I believe is this – We all have a “house” that needs to burn down. It’s the house of bad relationship, or dead-end work. It’s the house of too much stuff and not enough joy. It’s the house of dreams deferred. If we could just burn that house DOWN, we think, we could get on with the business of life, with what we were really meant to do. If that house burned down, we could live our dreams now, instead of later.”  

-Andi O’Conor, Ph. D., www.burningdownthehouseblog.com

When you live on the mountaintop, many things happen in the valley below, but none of them touch you.  Your relationship with the Pearl of Great Price is all that matters.

Your Worldly Possessions Relationship: Jesus as the Pearl of Great Price

Everyone knows that a diamond is a girls’ best friend.  Or, that if you want the ultimate driving machine, you need a BMW.  Or, if you want to think different, buy an Apple Computer.  Or, people that want a better idea, own a Ford.  Or, you’re gonna like how you look if you shop at Men’s Wearhouse.  Consequently, we have jewelry, cars, gadgets, clothes, shoes, and more crowding our garages, stuffed into our armoires, spilling out of our closets and locked away in our safes.  The advertisers and marketers have done their job and consumers have been properly brainwashed.  We buy things we don’t need, we work longer hours to pay for them, and we neglect our families in the process.  This is strangely ironic for Christians whose role model is a homeless itinerant who owned nothing but his robe and sandals.  He didn’t even try to hide his pennilessness.  Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matthew 8:19-20.  Later, He said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15. 

Readers of Ecclesiastes know that the ownership of worldly goods is a bogus path to happiness.  Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11.  The forgotten lessons of the Preacher and of Jesus now haunt many who live on the typical grand scale of life in the twenty-first century.  The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are perhaps more pronounced in our day than ever before.  In spite of these proclivities, the stubborn fact remains that a relationship with Jesus Christ impinges upon our desire for worldly goods.  We must now look at our stuff through the eyes of One who had none of it. 

Possessions Are Not the Measure of our Lives 

It may be wrong, but most of us tend to evaluate people in terms of the clothes they wear, the cars they drive or the houses where they live.  If they are well-heeled, we consider them to be self-respecting and responsible.  The culprit may be our culture that causes us to think that those who are doing well have nice things.    Things rule.  We even go so far as to call rich people cheapskates if they dress shabbily or drive clunkers.  These opinions may be superficial, and we may later discover that some are not as we first thought them to be.  Our initial take on people, however, usually stems from observing what they have.   

Jesus saw through this sham.  Not only did He reject the notion that life consists of the abundance of possessions, but He condemned those who defined their lives by their wealth or their accumulation of things.   Earlier, we discussed the parable of Jesus about the wealthy farmer who dismantled his barns to build bigger ones to house his bumper crops.  He made life about himself and no one else.  Even more incriminating was Christ’s account of the rich man and the beggar.  There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  Then he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:19-24.  We take two things away from this story.  First, we must be sensitive to the needs of those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves.  Believers who don’t divert a portion of their income to needy souls need to re-read this passage.  It is serious business.  Given the context, one could even say it is a heaven or hell issue!  Second, it was a wholesale rejection of worldly ranking.  The rich man was undoubtedly much acclaimed for his affluence by the community, and, consequently, he paid scant attention to beggars who were beneath him.  He defined himself by his possessions, but it was a false commentary.  Death and eternity evened the score. 

During my years as pastor, I was always amazed how death leveled the playing field.  I saw both rich and poor in the closing hours of life.  The only things that mattered in those final moments were family and loved ones.  One dying man had little to boast of in money or possessions, but I watched his family encircle his bed and sing hymns as he left this life for the next.  The true measure of his worth had nothing to do with his worldly goods.  It was all about love and care.

We Are to Live Simply, Not Extravagantly 

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes addresses vanity and extravagant living more directly than any other passage in the Bible.  Although the particular components hearken from a distant time, we can still understand the gist.  I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. Ecclesiastes 2:4-9. It is apparent that he had the means to acquire whatever he wanted and he put no limits on his desires.  He concluded, “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:17.   

The way one spends money depends on several factors.  Just because someone buys the best product on the market may not necessarily be a function of vanity.  Quality, durability and need also determine one’s purchases.  If the motive is for ostentation and show, or if someone spends money to compete with others, then that is a different matter.  This was Paul’s strong exhortation to Timothy.  Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content … But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:6-12.  To the Philippians, he wrote, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”   Philippians 4:11-12. 

The only time Jesus advocated extravagance was in worship.  The breaking of the alabaster box met with His approval, even though it was denounced by some of His disciples.  Also, from the description of the dedication of Solomon’s temple, and the fabulous portrayal of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation, we know that total and radical worship is the will of God.  The way we live our daily lives, however, needs to reflect the simplicity that is in Christ.  Our standard of living should grow out of our relationship with Jesus.  

We Must Not Live to Impress Others. 

Our era has been dubbed The Visual Age.  Pictures dancing across gigantic cinematic displays, billboards, TV monitors, computer screens and smart phones have become a way of life, and electronic imagery has forever transformed art, business, commerce, communication, education and dozens of other human interactions.  The unfortunate upshot of this development has been the heightened attention given to appearance, as opposed to substance.  People are often applauded, employees are often hired, politicians are often elected and prospective brides and grooms are often selected based on their looks and whether or not they conform to the fashion of the day.   Substance, character, ability and integrity have suffered demotion in the vetting process.  Anyone who is not photogenic—or telegenic in today’s vernacular—has limited appeal in public life.  But regardless of this trend, believers must hold themselves to a higher standard.  As Paul admonished the Corinthians, a community known for a cosmetic view of life, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.” 2 Corinthians 10:12-13.

Living to impress others is a silly undertaking on its face.  People are fickle, circumstances are changeable and success is uncertain.  Once you achieve acceptance in the eyes of others, take care.  The next wind may blow in a storm that wipes out the very goals you worked so hard to win, and the people who lifted you high may cast you aside.  The believer’s true goal is to please the Master.  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:10. In His fleshly existence on earth, Jesus made a point to teach His disciples this same truth. “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”  John 8:29. 

We Have Recourse to Grievance within the Law

(This is the conclusion of the chapter on Your Legal Relationship: Jesus as Judge)

Clear cut differences exist between legality and morality.  Many sinful practices fall within legal parameters, but are far from moral.  It is not immoral, however, to register a complaint or charge grievances against people or parties that have caused you injury.  For example, if you get involved in an automobile accident that is not your fault, you can recover damages from the offending driver both legally and morally.  Or, if you are wrongfully terminated from your job, you can go through a legal grievance process to get your job back or be compensated for your loss.  These scenarios and others like them as part of our justice system are both legal and moral.  Believers do not have to suffer wrong regarding harmful acts that have nothing to do with faith or religious reasons. 

Prior to these laws, victims were at the mercy of the rich and powerful.  People who were harmed, defrauded, robbed or maligned had to suffer in silence.  Nobody came to their rescue.  Today, there are laws that protect the “little guy,” like whistleblower laws, non-discrimination laws, consumer protection laws, laws against sexual harassment, Truth-in-Lending laws, collection agency harassment laws, and many more.  Believers who defend themselves by means of these laws do not betray their faith or violate the Word of God, notwithstanding their Christian obligation to stay within the wording of the law, and their refusal to be motivated by retaliation or revenge.

Related to this, believers also may find themselves in the middle of lawsuits where they are called upon to testify for or against a defendant. Often, because an attorney has subpoenaed them to appear in court, they have no option to remain neutral.  In such cases, we are obligated to tell the truth without prejudice.  It is not wrong to get involved in litigation or serve as jurors; it is our civic duty.  The Bible refers to court cases as well by saying that every word should be established by two or three witnesses and other instances of courtroom scenes. 

We Must Not Take Fellow Believer’s to Law

The Bible does make one action abundantly clear: we are not to take a brother (or sister) to law.  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? Through these rhetorical questions, the Apostle Paul reasons with the Corinthians from an eternal standpoint.  They were to be above petty legal squabbles.  He then proceeds to instruct them on how to resolve their internal disputes.  If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?  I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?

Instead of respecting one another, they were acting foolishly, as though they were not in the same spiritual family.  But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!  Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.  The unity of the church is more important than the welfare of any individual in the church.  When we have confidence in Jesus as our Judge, we will not attempt to judge each other in human terms.  The mark of a mature relationship with Christ is the willingness to defer all judgment to Him.

We Can Participate in Governmental Activities

Our form of government differs greatly from that of Roman times.  It is not surprising, then, that the scriptures are silent about voting, running for an elected office, or accepting an appointment to civil service.  Those opportunities did not exist in those days.  In our democratic society, many Apostolic Christians have served in federal, state and local positions without compromising their convictions. Richard Doster, writing for byFaith Magazine, says, “Christians, when rightly informed and motivated, change the character of political debate. They bring the moral standards of God’s kingdom into the civic realm and thereby become agents of His common grace — of His provision for those who believe as well as those who don’t.”  www.byfaithonline.com.  

There is a caveat, however, to public service for Christians.  Participants can easily become caught up in the power structure and begin believing that political power surpasses the power of the Holy Spirit.  Also, much of politics is rife with deception and lack of integrity.  Those who choose to get involved must keep their hearts and spirits free from wrong influences.  Never forget that politics will never represent the ultimate solution to the problems of humanity.  As has often been stated in many places, we cannot legislate our way to morality and peace.  Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, remains the true answer for the world.