Misplaced Self-Importance

I have been thinking of Solomon and how come he fell so badly. How can someone God appeared to twice erect a shrine to an idol in the house he had built for the Lord?

One thing stands out. He ascribed the building of the temple to himself, especially by showing that David had been disqualified from doing the same. In other words, he was saying that he was the one who was qualified by God to do that assignment.

But was that really the truth?

David started the project. It was his vision. It was his act of worship. It was his initiative.

But that is not all.

He bought the land on which the temple was to be built.

He prepared all the materials for the building, way beyond the requirements.

Then God gave him the plans for the whole campus and not simply the temple.

He even arranged the singing, storage, in short the whole congregational worship and its leadership.

He made the instruments of music and also arranged courses to do the same.

And finally, he rallied all Israel to stand with and support Solomon, because of his inexperience. Remember he even negotiated with foreign kings to supply materials and workmen before he died?

Yet look at the words he uses when dedicating the temple.

But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. (2Chronicles 6:2)

And he says the same when he talks about the temple. I have done this. My father wanted but he was disqualified.

I suggest that this was the beginning of his fall.

Imagine trashing all the work that had been done prior to his involvement? Imagine trashing the work done in 1 Chronicles 21 to 29?

It is like painting a house and boasting of building it.

No wonder he felt that he needed a pat in his back; that even God ought to have cut him some slack for the gigantic job he had done. He felt that his sin ought to have been looked at within the context of that project.

No wonder he so completely lost it and cried, vanity of vanities.

Is he the only one? By no means.

When was Peter most sharply rebuked? Was it not after a revelation that even Christ commended him for?

What was a precursor of Hezekiah’s miracle? It was a bitter cry. He seemed to be telling God that he deserved better. Look at him parading his works before God as if He had been asleep when they were being done. Entitlement

Yet what was the result? He backslid. No wonder Manasseh was that wicked as he was born in that season.

Remember Uzziah wanting to take over priestly duties? And why so? He had an enviable CV.

We are prone to such falls when we ascribe more to our effort than is due. We fall when we forget that there is much more behind our success than our effort.

There really is no self-made man or woman. Even the legendary founders of Rome owed their life to a wolf.

I am who I am because many people have contributed to me. From the prayers and discipline of my mother to my experiences growing up to my disciplers and ministry opportunities over the years. I really am a product of many, many people. And that is how God means it to be.

Looking to take credit for my achievements with the exclusion of others brings me to the pinnacle of achievement. Sadly, that pinnacle is a cliff edge of character and spirituality. And like Solomon and the others I have mentioned a fall is imminent.

We must develop a heart of gratitude to slay this dragon of entitlement.

The fact that you started your ministry single handedly does not make you a superstar. Even the people God brought your way to minister to should share in that glory you want to make sorely yours. And how many other people were praying for God to send someone to that harvest field before you came? And they may never yell you.

I remember a few times that someone in a slip of the tongue made me realize that my being there ministering in a particular way is a direct answer to some prayers.

I do not print and give books because I hear God more or have overflowing moneys. I am sure there are people praying, most of whom I might never even meet. That is why God speaks to other people to give the monies for the printing of the books when the time comes.

Therefore, when you see my ministry overflowing, get to know that there is a great army that is part of it, an army that for the most part only God knows. And it is not only the moneys and prayers. There is that cup of cold water, that shade to rest by the way, that child who plays with you to defuse the stresses of ministry, that waiter who seems to instinctively know your order, that driver who knows the right music to play when ministry is tough.

Forgetting that the church is Christ’s body with each of us having his unique and essential part to play misleads us to elevate some ministries above others, forgetting that God will reward according to our faithfulness and not massiveness of the ministry He has given us.

May God help us to run from Solomon’s error today and forever.