High Fives from Jesus

How many sermons have you heard that point to professional athletes and corporate magnates as examples? Have you ever wondered why a Christian should want to be like Michael Jordan or Bill Gates?

Whenever hard work, persistence, and determination are illustrated for us, it's typically in the form of some hardscrabble story, like the one about the poor boy from East L.A. with rickets and hydrocephaly. He ignores the naysayers, overcomes peer pressure from his street gang, and becomes a Heisman trophy winner, NFL Hall of Famer, millionaire, and movie actor married to a beautiful blonde. Too bad he's also O. J. Simpson.

It seems as though it never occurs to those that regurgitate these stories that not all hard work, perseverance, and winning is good. In fact, much of this striving is based on a warped need for approval or control. It's often self-centered, obsessive, and damaging to those who love the supposed role model. But does that matter? No! They're winners. And shouldn't we all desire to be winners?

No. We should desire to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8) Well, most kind and humble people don't get a lot of reward or recognition in this world. They usually don't win ball games or the corner office. In fact, they really don't CARE about those things anyway.

I know that God often gives those things to people who are serving him faithfully. One biblical example might be the Joseph of Technicolor Dreamcoat fame. And I know of godly people who have gained position and financial security. But they couldn't care less about those things apart from any use they may have for God's glory. They pour the money back into charity and church and use their power to effect positive, compassionate change.

Another fallacy of these illustrations are the unrealistic expectations they set up. But that's a whole other post.