The Marketplace

The marketplace can be a risky place to send Christians.  Success and wealth can become an unsafe thing for those whose heart and motives are not firmly rooted in Christ.

1 Tim 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
 
When a Christian's motives shift during the pursuit of success, the love of money may begin to creep up, acting as poison.  As the love of money takes over, the individual becomes a servant of mammon.  Spiritual pursuit of the Lord begins to decrease except when needing to be rescued in desperate life situations.  As it grows, many develop an independent spirit, reflected in a disengagement from church life.  Prayerlessness is then the final result of one's self-dependence.  

True spiritual leadership is not founded without true relationship with God.  Spiritual leadership and authority are established in prayer.  Consider Solomon, who had a private passageway built between his bedroom and the temple where he regularly sought God.  Once when he was seeking the Lord, the Lord appeared and asked- what do you want?  Think of what it is you would have asked for?  Perhaps, a successful business or wealth and maybe good health are a part of the things one would ask for.  The answer may even depend on your current situation.  Solomon's response was brilliant: You have given me this opportunity as King. I don't know what to do. HELP!!!

He requested of God to understand His people and discern between good and evil. His heart's desire was to execute true justice.  Let's look at God's response:

1 Kings 3:10-15, "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both riches and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."

What was the Lord's requirement?

Verse 14 "And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
 
Solomon then began to walk in his gifting and calling.  When you walk in your calling others rejoice and are blessed.  Leadership has a weight and responsibility that comes along with it.  When God appeared to him the second time, He reminds him again of his responsibility.  God knows what success can do to the flesh.  When you do not walk in God's ways or your purpose, others are cut off from their blessing that was meant to come through you.

Your decisions always affect the lives of others. If one does not pursue God whole heartedly, eventually, the things that you love over God will occupy your heart and turn you away from Him.  In1 Kings 11, we see that Solomon's love of women leads to disobedience of God's command to the Israelites not to intermarry.  As a result "his wives turned away his heart. (vs.3)."  Throughout his life God never reminded him of this weakness but tried to keep him focused on the positive. Evaluate your own heart and motives and stay in tuned with God.  
Gene

Eugene Strite
President Sent Forth Ministries