Have you looked around the television pulpit lately? I don’t often get to catch many religious broadcasts but I keep hearing things from those that do catch these shows. Apparently, there is a big push for pomp and celebrity in some pulpits. The whole prosperity gospel is running wild in some circles. Big cars and big homes are being promoted as God’s will for the best giver.

That seems a little off-track to me. Everyone will not have the opportunity to own a big car and big home. Yet, everyone will have the opportunity to become a disciple of Christ.

As I began my study for the week, I was led to a particular Scripture that says to be a disciple we must take up our cross and follow Jesus. (Mark 8:34) To be great (Mark 9:34-35), you have to be last, AND, you have to be servant of all. So, now I guess you can see the disconnect. Big car and big home owners generally like to hire servants. They are generally not concerned with serving nor being servant of all.

While there is nothing wrong with enjoying the bounty of God’s blessings (He gives us everything – everything belongs to Him), we have to be mindful at all times that as followers of Christ, we are to be intentional about disciplining our flesh. Here are a few reminders:

• We do not come first, our fellow man does
• Riches are not for hoarding, but instead we are to put them to use to advance the kingdom, and bless others
• All exaltation and praise belongs to God, not man!
  

We as believers and followers of Christ are to be servants of all!