Fame, Riches and Power

Many years ago I had a personal dream that someday I wanted to be someone famous. I admired many of the famous preachers, authors, teachers and speakers. Then one day God asked me if I wanted a target painted on my back because that is what will happen if you ever achieved this status. He said, I’m not talking about people attacking you, but did you want to be targeted by satan.

When I thought of the temptations and desires these people have to face daily, I began to rethink my desires. I have enough problems as it is and I definitely don’t need them multiplied. I would believe that most of these people started out with the purest objectives, but it doesn’t take long for the enemy (satan) to get involved and destroy.

I know most of you have read the popular books that have swept the nation. These books minister to many people, however satan comes along and begins to water them down with commercialism and cult. God may have only given this person one book to write, but the publishers believe there is much more money to be made. Before you know it there are calendars, T-Shirts and bumper stickers then that certain book becomes addressed to men, women, teens and children and so on.

The greatest temptation they have to face then is fame, riches and power. I know it would be easy to get consumed with all the limelight. This is usually where God is no longer the focus but the desire to hold on to what they have achieved. This usually means a change in truth, theology and goals. I know that satan supplies vast amounts of justifications for them.

I could write several pages about this, but I think you understand the point. It will always come down to where our heart is. Do we have a heart to serve the Lord whatever the cost or serve satan in exchange for personal glory. There is not a place in between.

The more you get the less you are. Proverbs 1:19 Think about that scripture for a moment. It’s an exchange. Think about this picture. The more this guy has the less you see of him. Are you identified by you money, house, car, job or position, what you think you are or by what God says you are. After you are aware of what God says we are to Him. Then we have to believe it. We may make the statement we believe, but many times it’s no more than words. To accept it into our hearts is when we will really begin to change.