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| Check
the Price Tag |
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| Bubba
Garner |
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The
account of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness were not recorded for
our entertainment or debate propositions. They are meant to reveal the
schemes of the devil, the tactics that he employed to attempt to seduce
the Son of Man. They are the same ones that are still at work in his
enticement of all the sons of men. In whatever means he is using to tempt
you, be sure and check the price tag.
After Jesus refused to turn
the stones to bread, the devil led Him up “a very high mountain”
(Matt. 4:8) and showed Him “all the kingdoms of the world in a moment in
time” (Luke 4:5). He promised Jesus that He could have all of their
wealth and glory if He would just fall down and worship him. While it is
true that God is in control of all, Jesus Himself refers to Satan as the
“ruler of this world” (John 12:31), implying that he possesses great
influence and power in this realm. He had the authority to give Jesus the
keys to his kingdom, a chance to rule in the affairs of men.
But again, Jesus was equal
to the task. “It is written,” He said, “‘You shall worship the
Lord your God and serve Him only’” (Luke 4:8). Jesus came to earth not
to serve Himself but to be a servant. His mission was to do His Father’s
will, to be obedient to a plan that included suffering and death. The
devil’s temptation involved taking a shortcut to glory, having a crown
without having to endure a cross. But he was offering Jesus something that
His Father had promised Him long ago—“the nations” as His
inheritance and “the very ends of the earth” as His possession (Psa.
2:8). All the riches of the world could not compare with this joy that was
set before Him.
How fitting that this same
Jesus would later ask, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the
whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
his soul” (Matt. 16:26)? He had the opportunity to make that very
transaction, to take hold of the present at the expense of the future. But
Jesus kept His concentration where we usually become distracted. He could
see that it wasn’t worth the price.
You can’t afford to
lose your focus. One of the biggest dangers of materialism is that it
takes our eyes off of what is most important. It can start subtly, with an
innocent glance at the bank statement or stock market. Then before you
know it, all of your attention and energy are in things that are here with
nothing leftover to invest in the hereafter. Like Jesus, our focus should
always be on the crown that is to come. “For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).
You can’t afford to
lose your faith. The Bible nowhere states that it is impossible for a
rich man to go heaven. But it does indicate that there are certain snares
attached to wealth. “Instruct those who are rich in this present world
not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but
on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).
Money can cause us to become self-reliant and independent, placing our
confidence in things that are fragile and easily lost. Our currency may
boast “In God We Trust,” but our assurance is not always in Him who
blessed us with it. The domain and glory of all the kingdoms of the world
were not enough to cause Jesus to abandon His faith. I’m afraid we give
ours up for far less than that.
You can’t afford to
lose your soul. It’s the only thing you possess that will live
forever. Your house will eventually fall, your clothes will wear out, your
things will rust. But your soul is eternal, that which will return to God
who gave it (Eccl. 12:7). Your soul was valuable enough to Him that He
sent His Son to suffer and die for it. So, what will you give in exchange
for it? A new job, a second car, a retirement home? Don’t be tempted by
such a cheap price tag.
Idolatry did not die with
the Old Law. God’s people can worship gold as surely as they did the
golden calf. We can make mammon their master as easily as they did Baal.
To flee from it, we would do well to remember the words of Jesus in the
wilderness. “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”
Nothing makes more sense.
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Copyright (C)
2008
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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