Affluence, Influence, and Respectability...the Wayfarer 12/9/14

Affluence, Influence, and Respectability
  12/9/14

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

(Luke 2:6-20)

As Christ arrived, greeted by simple shepherds, he came without acclaim from men… but with great acclaim from God and His angels!

The child born, and laid in a manger, a feed trough that is depicted in painting and exhibit time and again, filled with naught but straw, fit bedding only for the animals.

The family to which he came that was to raise him had no affluence, certainly little if any influence outside the small circle of family that existed at that birth, and no respectability in the eyes of any in government or within the temples and the priesthood.

This child, without seeming affluence, influence or even simple respectability in fact held far more of each of these sought after traits than any before, or after Him.

Affluence is a goal addressed many times within His ministry, as were influence and the seeming respectability that were the things so sought after by both the ruling class in government, and that same ruling class among the “religious.”

Affluence, in and of itself holds no sin, nor does it hold any particular claim to righteousness, other than that given by men also in search of those same goals.

Affluence, wealth, if you will, if held by honest means, and used to the glorification of God holds neither sin nor righteousness in and of itself, but holds the probability of pitfall to search continually to use that affluence for the attainment of either influence, or respectability, or both.

When the goals of life are scrutinized through the eyes of the only truly righteous being in this or any Universe, these measuring sticks fall far short of what is to be required of that life.

Affluence does indeed often lead to influence, and the attainment of more affluence and influence through the corruption of its use, that use justified by the user that thinks to find respectability within its possession and use.

God is no respecter of persons, whether great or small, affluent or poor, influential in the affairs of men or without consequence other than the effort to sustain life in an honest and forthright manner.

Respectability, bought through affluence and influence is far from anything respected by a God that demands we place ourselves on the same level of affluence, influence and respectability held by a poor babe, born to a carpenter that had so little affluence and influence that respectability of place of birth was denied him.

That babe was denied affluence of any sort, constantly a wanderer, denied by the affluent, the influential and those claiming respectability, yet continued to preach the kingdom of God, and its riches affluence and respectability that could be attained by any and all willing to meet the requirement of redemption given through repentance.

Clothes, titles, position, honors, accolades never make the man.

Respectability of men, though when earned honestly is desirable, but an unnecessary attribute at the throne of judgment.

There is no affluence that may buy a way to the only influence that grants respectability when standing before God.

That respectability cannot be obtained through any corrupt method or means. That Influence cannot be bought!

The price for that needed Influence was paid by the One who alone can influence the Father…. That babe a babe no longer, but King of Kings, Lord of lords, Christ Jesus Himself!

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

(Revelation 3:18)

I close, the same simple sinner saved by grace through faith in the only Influence I will ever need, or seek, the same soldier in His service, a wayfarer in this world on the way to that promised kingdom, humble and contrite in recognition of my own insignificance, in the presence of the most affluent, influential and only respectable being in this or any universe, created… incidentally, by Him!

Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen.
the Wayfarer