While nursing a case of the sniffley, cruddy, blah cold
this past week, I wondered how people who face real physical trials
are able to overcome them. I began to wonder if the problems in our
lives are hurdles or helpers. I have concluded that the answer to that
question is up to us. It all depends on what we do with the things that
come our way. Consider the following:
Fame
For most of us there is a certain degree of pleasure in being recognized
by people. I understand from interviews I have seen with movie stars
that after a little while fame becomes very burdensome. However, some
have been honest enough to admit that when they were out of the limelight
they felt empty and lost. They had come to depend on the fame they
had gained.
Some have been so obsessed with fame they have killed well-known people
simply for the notoriety. Others have streaked onto the playing field
of the Super Bowl to get a few seconds of television time. Others
avoid fame as though it were an incurable disease.
The real key lies not in having or avoiding fame but in what one does
with it. Christians are required to let our lights “so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). This can be done by a lifetime
of “low profile” kindnesses, but do not expect to be able
to remain anonymous. The world is still able to recognize a decent
act of kindness and will usually acknowledge it for a moment. Those
in fame’s spotlight can also honor our Father with good works.
The greater influence and wealth that usually accompany fame can be
used to do great things. Is fame a hurdle or a help? That depends
on whether one trips over it or uses it for good.
Fortune
Some societies vilify the wealthy while others assume that worldly wealth
is directly proportional to godliness. Some wealthy people become condescending
and snobbish, genuinely believing that poorer people are of lesser value
and worth than they. Others wear the mantle of wealth so gracefully
that the greatest impression they make is one of overwhelming kindness.
Is wealth a good thing? No. Is it a thing? No. Wealth is neither inherently
good nor bad.
Paul memorialized the great liberality of the Macedonian churches. “How
that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their
deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2
Cor. 8:2). They lacked wealth but that was not a bad thing. Still today,
they shine through their poverty as great people because they “first
gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God”
(2 Cor. 8:5).
Let us remember, however, that Paul’s account of the Macedonian’s
giving was written to a very wealthy church to stir them to fulfill
their earlier willingness to give generously. Paul expected the Corinthian
brethren to give in accordance with their wealth because he expected
the same greater sacrifice the Macedonians had made. “For if there
be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath,
and not according to that he hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12).
As far as Paul was concerned it never was about the amount of money
one had. Those who have given their hearts to God will use their money
wisely whether they have little or lots. For some that means sharing
a meager meal with another who is struggling so that neither will go
without. For others that means giving millions of dollars to support
missionaries, to train men to preach, to broadcast the Gospel message
worldwide, or to care for families who are truly unable to care for
themselves. Is a great fortune a hurdle or a help? That depends on whether
one trips over it or uses it for good.
