Riches and Praise for Me

In church today, we sang a song that had a line in the chorus that went, "I don't want riches and man's empty praise".  That sounds great but I wonder how often we really act like this.  What would be like if we truly did not want riches or praise from other people?

• How many women would wear makeup if we did not want praise from other people?
• How many people would drive Suburbans or 4x4 pickups with extended cabs if we did not want riches?
• What size would our house be if we did not want riches?
• What would our job be or how long would we work if we did not want riches?
• Do we push our kids to do well in school and sports so we can brag or because that is what Jesus would do?

If we truly lived life like we sang about in this song, it would be totally different from our actual lives.  Think about how Jesus lived his life.  He did not have a house or any stuff.  He did not have a career.  The people who were in power in the Jewish community never praised him.  On the other hand, he did all things well and shared everything he had with others.

The same is true about Paul.  See 2 Corinthians 11:24-26.  Paul talks about being shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, homeless, etc.  He worked very hard and was willing to go without pay if it helped bring people to faith in Christ.  Is that how our lives should be?  Maybe this is not the requirement for each of us but what does a life where we don't want riches or praise look like?

What is the opposite of wanting riches?  Wanting to be poor?  Not necessarily.  Solomon said, "give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread." Proverbs 30:8.  So our attitude about material things should be to only desire what we need to get through the day.  This does not mean having nothing or living on the street.  We can have a reliable car and a house that is appropriate for our family situation.  Its okay to provide for people who depend on you.  Its okay to take vacations to enjoy God's world and to create family memories.  The key is to constantly ask if spending money on this thing will bring God glory or further His kingdom.  If not, maybe its not a good decision.  Maybe we want this thing because we really want riches.

What is the opposite of wanting praise?  Self-deprecation?  Not necessarily.  Moses is a good role model for us.  God specifically called Moses to be the leader of the entire nation of Israel.  He and Elijah are the only two guys that came to talk to Jesus at the transfiguration.  And yet, he never stood up for himself when people challenged his authority.  He let God defend him.

Jesus addresses the topic of wanting praise in his discourse in Luke 17.  He has a parable where he asks us to imagine we are a servant.  He concludes the story by saying, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”  We should not expect a reward.  We should not expect thanks.  The lesson here and in other parts of the Bible are that we should do everything to the best of our ability and not worry about what other people think.  In fact, our goal in life should be to bring God glory; especially to Jesus.  Another role model is John the Baptist who said, "He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30).  

Our society emphasizes being rich and getting praise.  Sometimes, it's doesn't seem so bad.  "This is how everyone lives.  What's wrong with enjoying God's blessings?"  Let's try not to let life press us into it's mold.  Let's allow the Holy Spirit to transform us by renewing our minds.  Let's be deliberate about not wanting riches and not wanting praise and not just sing about it.