TEXT FOR REFLECTION
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God:
“Because your heart is proud,
and you have said, ‘I am a god,
I sit in the seat of the gods,
in the heart of the seas,’
yet you are but a man, and no god,
though you make your heart like the heart of a god—
EZEKIEL 28:1-2
REFLECT
Success had made Tyre proud. Tyre was a beautiful and prosperous city and sea port. Traders from all over the Lower East came to do business with her. As a result, Tyre became exceedingly wealthy. Over time, she began to imagine that she was above others. She was wealthier, more beautiful, and more capable than any other city. Her competence and success made her proud and consequently, independent of God.
Success has a tendency to do this to us. God blesses us with success, but as we become successful in what we do, pride overcomes us and we begin to imagine that we are better than others, or worse, that we do not need God. This is such a common problem that the Book of Proverbs includes a prayer against excessive success:
"give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30:8. 9.
Tragically though, even the wisest man in history, King Solomon, fell prey to the trap of success. In fact, Solomon's father King David, a man after God's own heart, also became a victim of his pride.
RELATE
If even the best of men, who were successful because they were blessed by God, could fall into the sin of pride, is there hope for us to avoid it? There is clearly no guarantee against pride when we are successful, but a certain attitude will help.
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that we are servants of God, and that our mission in life is to serve God. Hence we are to consider that any success or faithful service that we render is nothing spectacular, but simply us doing our duty.
" “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10
Jesus was teaching that as servants, we should not expect praise for good work done. Our good work is only what is expected of us.
Following this train of thought, we are to see ourselves as servants and stewards of the abilities and riches that God has given us. Neither our riches, nor positions in life, nor excellent abilities or competencies are given to us for our personal gain. Rather, they are entrusted to us so that we can better serve the world that God loves.
Christians will invariably be successful in what we do. This is because God continues to endow us with gifts and abilities to serve the world. But we must always keep in mind that our mission is to serve the people in the world, and that whatever successes we have are simply the result of God pouring His love on the world that He loves.
REST
Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity
In perfect harmony the Man who is God;
Lord of eternity, dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility and washes our feet.
O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship
For this is your God.
From Meekness and Majesty by Graham Kendrick
Chiu Ming Li
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