"...whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, ²⁸even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." —Matthew 20:26-28
We know many people who promote the so called “Prosperity Gospel,” which only results in submerging the man—who claims to seek God—into the deepest and most terrible misery. What makes this perversion particularly detestable is that it makes God the provider of our idols, the one who supplies our sinful desires. This is blatantly attacking the holiness and glory of God; glory that He does not share with anyone. He alone is desirable along with the gifts that flow through Him, and that leads us to give Him more glory (Psalm 73:25).
The true Gospel of Prosperity is the Gospel of selfless love—humility in action. Our text does not condemn the desire to become great. I believe, rather, that Jesus encourages it. The disciples were deceived, pursuing the wrong path to greatness. Oh, how slow we are to understand the truths of the Kingdom. On one occasion their Lord said to them: “…then are you also without understanding?” (Mark 7:18). In fact, Jesus had set out to make them great. He had chosen the disciples to give them a place in His Kingdom. With them it would not happen as with that young man to whom Jesus said, “One thing you lack: go, sell everything you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21). There was nothing else offered to him but treasure in heaven.
For Reflection
Do you want to become great? What do you consider true greatness? The honest answer to that question will make you understand why you have taken the path you are on. Ask the Lord to show you what your heart really values.
I have heard that “Anything you love more than God is an idol,” but I am convinced that anything we love outside of God is an idol. Of course, loving “outside of God” means appreciating something that we can’t consider with a pure conscience as a gift from God; its purpose is not to give glory to God.
Do you want help changing your aspirations? Live to portray the glory of God in your life, benefiting others with your service. Pray: “Lord, help me to walk the path of humility; I know that sometimes it will mean that you will humble me, and you will show me how far away I am. Give me the grace to acknowledge the wrong of my ways and to go to the cross of Christ.”