Dangerous Gifts

Recently there has been a small spike in Australian news concerning former NSW premiere Barry O'Farrell.  He resigned last year when it was discovered he received a $3,000 bottle of wine and did not claim it as a gift from a donor.  A news report claims Mr. O'Farrell has denied fresh allegations he also received an expensive fountain pen whilst in office from a construction company that later won a large contract.  Whether or not Barry is innocent or guilty of wrongdoing in this case, receiving bribes or gifts is nothing new.  Those with money are drawn to people in influential government positions, knowing it doesn't take much luxury to "grease the skids" for their benefit.  A $1,000 pen is nothing compared to a 1 billion dollar contract!

Perhaps there are some people who become a public servant for the perks or retirement package, but I would suspect a vast majority of those who aspire to such a role do so to make a positive difference in government, community, and to individuals.  Maybe they have perceived injustice and want to ensure those who are poor and struggling have adequate representation in government.  They want to go to battle for the battlers, the ones doing it tough.  Their aspiration is to be a man or a woman of their community, faithfully serving their fellow citizens and residents.  In the beautiful and blessed country I now call home, there are thousands of people every day who champion the causes of immigrants, the aged, single, children in foster care, and those with failing health both in a professional and volunteer basis.  But starting well, firmly holding to ideals and principles, does not mean your grip on them tightens.  There are many people who have epitomised the term "public servant" in their role in government.  Yet history reveals many who started well as champions of the people who ended up accepting gifts, bribes, embezzling, living lavishly whilst people suffer poverty, or even becoming the totalitarian leaders of deadly regimes.  Starting well does not ensure a strong finish.

The fall of leaders through accepting gifts or succumbing to greed is not limited to government employees.  Every single person on the planet is susceptible to the lure of wealth or gifts - even in the church.  This morning I read Isaiah 1:23, a rebuke from God directed at His own people.  "Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them."  The princes who were called to uphold justice according to God's Word had been corrupted by bribes and rewards.  There was rebellion in their hearts and they ceased defending the fatherless and shrugged off the complaints of the widows.  Their circle of "friends" increasingly detached them from functioning in their God-ordained role.  Maybe these princes were idealistic in their zeal to make a difference, only to find people presented an ever-growing litany of problems.  The role made the public servant feel entitled to a little rest, leisure, and luxury.  Flattered by associating with the wealthy and influential, the princes began to even drift from obedience to God.

I wonder:  is it possible Christians can allow spiritual gifts or calling to a role in the body of Christ to distract them from their necessity of purity, righteousness, and holiness?  No one is impervious to the snare of pride.  The life of David reveals even a great victory over a giant by faith in God does not translate into a victory over a beautiful woman.  No matter how we have been used by God, no matter how divinely gifted, the hearts of men have a way of drifting from allegiance to Christ and denying self.  It is very dangerous to think because we can operate in a spiritual gift everything is fine between us and God!  Over time we may be deceived to think our strength is our own.  It is a sobering reality that we can be called and gifted by God and cease to be absolutely loyal to Him.  Look at the kings in Judah and Israel.  Consider pastors, teachers, and servants in the church.  No one goes into ministry looking to drag God's name through the mud by embezzlement or fornication, but it happens.  When our hearts are lifted up and we place our confidence in self, a spiritual fall and great injury will be the result - unless we repent.

Let me leave you with a prophecy spoken by Oded in 2 Chronicles 15:1-7:  "Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. ² And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. ³ For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; ⁴ but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. ⁵ And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. ⁶ So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. ⁷ But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!"  When we trust in our own strength, we are powerless.  If God is our strength, we are fit to run with endurance the race set before us as we look to Christ alone!  If we turn to the LORD and seek Him, He will be found by us.  What a blessing and privilege, to know and speak to the LORD of all!