Fame and Fortune
Most of us have heard this phrase “fame and fortune” all of our lives. It is characterized as the maximum accomplishment goal to be sought in this earthly existence. Many are those who are disappointed by the road to desired fame and those who seek and/or obtain fortune but then find that there is no great fulfillment in these. They often complicate the life of those who obtain them rather than making everything a path to smooth sailing. King Solomon, the presumed author of Ecclesiastes and undeniably one of the richest men to ever walk on this planet, highlighted the meaninglessness of riches and how they could never satisfy.
Perhaps one of the best-known parables in the New Testament is that of the rich fool (Matthew 12:13-21). Jesus warns against all kinds of greed saying that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Yet, the rich fool had much more than he needed and declared that he would tear down his barns and build bigger ones where he would put all of his stuff. Life for him really was about him, his fame and reputation as a wealthy man and the fortune he had been able to amass. Then the reality check happens. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Wow, what a misdirected life path to diligently seek fame and fortune only to get to the end of the road and never have experienced being “rich toward God.”
All of this ultimately speaks to life priorities. The Bible says that we shall reap what we sow. Also, it tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will fall into place. For the Christ follower whatever fame we should achieve in this life must be brought under the Lordship of the Savior. Any fortunes over which we have stewardship should be prioritized to undergird Kingdom enterprises. This perspective is radically different from that of the rich fool.
When God said in Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man in our image” He was essentially referencing the fact that we were created with intellect, emotions and the ability to make choices. The use of these faculties will either take us down a self-serving road seeking a fleeting fame and fortune or else to acknowledge Him in all our ways, and then He will make our paths straight.The Spirit of Truth tells those of us who know Him which way we should go.
May our major claim to fame in this life be that we serve a risen Savior who altered the trajectory of history. May we be found faithful with the good things that he allows us to enjoy in this earthly journey. Heaven is our final destination!
- What motivates you when making life choices?
- What life priorities are you pursuing?
- How would you describe being “rich toward God” to another person?
Connect Socially With Us