Today’s Readings: Psalm 80; Daniel 5:13-30; Mark 12:1-11; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 64
Featured Reading: Daniel 5:13-30
Bernie was an amazing guy. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth. He raised two hard working sons, Mark and Andrew. He was even a successful businessman who made millions (and gave back millions) as well. He, for instance, donated $6 million to fund lymphoma research, and he gave tremendous support to non-profit agencies such as the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation that helped fund youth programs and the JEHT Foundation (which stands for Justice, Equality, Human Dignity and Tolerance Foundation). While all of these are certainly noteworthy accomplishments, I can guarantee that all of these things will pale in comparison when held up against another of Bernie’s “achievements”. Bernie (whose last name is Madoff) will go down in history as having instigated the largest investor fraud ever committed by a single person according to wikipedia.org. So how does a person make the leap from being a pillar of the community to being an agent of personal and corporate destruction? Some of the answers to that question lie in today’s reading from Daniel. In speaking of another pillar of the community, Daniel pointed out those things that had contributed to King Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had “developed a big head and a hard spirit” (Daniel 5:20 from The Message). And King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar? Well, he was no better. King Belshazzar had become “arrogant” and toasted his “gods of silver and gold” (Daniel 5:23 from The Message). All of these indictments are great reminders of what can happen when we lose sight of what – and who! – ought to be most foundational in our lives. While you and I may not be kings or financiers, we do have our own spheres of influences – spheres in which the values and priorities we live by shape countless lives. I would invite you to reflect on the examples of Bernie Madoff, King Nebuchadnezzar, and King Belshazzr and use them as motivations for keeping our primary allegiance in life where it most belongs: with God. Til next time…
Featured Reading: Daniel 5:13-30
Bernie was an amazing guy. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth. He raised two hard working sons, Mark and Andrew. He was even a successful businessman who made millions (and gave back millions) as well. He, for instance, donated $6 million to fund lymphoma research, and he gave tremendous support to non-profit agencies such as the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation that helped fund youth programs and the JEHT Foundation (which stands for Justice, Equality, Human Dignity and Tolerance Foundation). While all of these are certainly noteworthy accomplishments, I can guarantee that all of these things will pale in comparison when held up against another of Bernie’s “achievements”. Bernie (whose last name is Madoff) will go down in history as having instigated the largest investor fraud ever committed by a single person according to wikipedia.org. So how does a person make the leap from being a pillar of the community to being an agent of personal and corporate destruction? Some of the answers to that question lie in today’s reading from Daniel. In speaking of another pillar of the community, Daniel pointed out those things that had contributed to King Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had “developed a big head and a hard spirit” (Daniel 5:20 from The Message). And King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar? Well, he was no better. King Belshazzar had become “arrogant” and toasted his “gods of silver and gold” (Daniel 5:23 from The Message). All of these indictments are great reminders of what can happen when we lose sight of what – and who! – ought to be most foundational in our lives. While you and I may not be kings or financiers, we do have our own spheres of influences – spheres in which the values and priorities we live by shape countless lives. I would invite you to reflect on the examples of Bernie Madoff, King Nebuchadnezzar, and King Belshazzr and use them as motivations for keeping our primary allegiance in life where it most belongs: with God. Til next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment