What Do You Esteem? The Good or the Great?

"Goodness is possible to all, greatness to a few...yet all men desire to be great, and only a few desire to be good." A.W. Tozer 

Have you ever considered this truth? Only a few people can choose to be great or famous, but everyone can choose to be good.

Sadly, our culture honors greatness, popularity, and fame far more than it honors goodness, honesty, humility, and integrity. That's why some of the most popular movie stars, music artists, and sports celebrities are rude, boastful, and immoral.

It happens in the church as well when Christians esteem popular pastors, authors, and Christian musicians even when they lack integrity.

In James 2:1-8 we discover that this was also a problem in the early church. They were favoring rich people, even when those rich people slandered the name of Christ. James wrote:

"Doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?" (verse 4) 

This passage not only rebukes prejudice, it also refutes "prosperity teachers" who claim wealth is a proof of faith:

"Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith?" (verse 5)

It's part of our fallen human nature to value the wrong things. That's why Ephesians 4:22-23 tells us to "throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception" and "let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."

Let's daily renew our thoughts and attitudes in God's Word (Hebrews 4:12).

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For more insights and encouragement about this subject:

Following Godly Examples: This 1-minute devotion asks an important question.

5 Principles Christians Use When Choosing Friends: Christians shouldn't choose friends like non-Christians choose them. This 1-minute devotion explains.

Bible Love Notes