The Weekly Encourager – July 7, 2016 – Important People

Who comes to mind when I say, “important people?” The president? Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, congressmen? Governors, mayors, leaders in the community? Your boss and those higher up the food chain where you work? How about wealthy businessmen, top athletes, movie stars, musicians, media personalities, T.V. evangelists, mega-church ministers?

Important people are an important topic here in the nation's capital. Having lived here most of my life, I've had the opportunity to meet many “important people.” I've been to numerous events where crowds of people try to get a glimpse of someone famous, just to say they were in the same room with that person. To actually meet and talk with such an “important” individual is another step up in status. Having a photo taken with such a person is even better. It's so exciting! On it goes, as we seek to grow in status by reflected glory.

By contrast, let me tell you about a small church in a small town in Tennessee. My brother-in-law Matthew, who is mentally ill and probably alcoholic, started going to that little church on Sunday mornings. That congregation welcomed this man who looks and smells like a homeless person. Although at times he can seem almost normal, he speaks and acts very strangely at times. Because he doesn't “fit in,” he is usually rejected or avoided wherever he goes. He's not “important,” you see. Yet he got greeted and hugged every single Sunday at that little church!

A few weeks ago, we moved Matthew closer to where we live. On moving day, the pastor of that church came to say goodbye to Matthew, hug him, and tell him that they would write him. That pastor was glowing with the Holy Spirit. His sincere love for our brother reminded me of Jesus Christ, who ate with sinners, healed the sick, and spent time with social outcasts. It may be that the Lord plans to save Matthew, and this pastor will have been a significant part of that process! When the Bible says that “the last shall be first,” I think of this humble man and that tiny church in a dying no-name town. What a witness! In my mind, he is more “important” than the presidential candidate I saw last week in Washington.

Scripture encourages us to “give honor where honor is due,” to admire people with fine character, and to emulate examples of godliness. But the Bible also says “not many rich will enter the kingdom of heaven” and “don't show favoritism to rich people.” “Don't try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks.”

Jesus loves the losers! Every man, woman, and child was created by God Himself in His own image. Every person on this planet has value. Christ came to the lost, the poor, the rejected, the mentally ill, the addicted, the deformed, the suffering, the depressed, the lonely. Christ comes to you. You may not feel “important” at this moment, but you are important enough that Christ died for you. “They trust on their wealth and boast about how rich they are, yet not one of them, though rich as kings, can ransom his own brother from the penalty of sin! For God's forgiveness does not come that way. For a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth.” Are the people we admire “important” or impotent? Only Jesus has the power to save a soul.

Celebrity worship is idolatry. It shows that we value worldly wealth and power over true spiritual riches of life with God Almighty. God is rich in mercy, kindness, patience, and love. He wants us to set our minds and hearts on these things, to long for these things, to value these things. Then we will be truly rich in the Spirit. “For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus.”

God is faithful,
j

Matthew 20:16; Romans 13:7; Matthew 19:23; James 2:1; Romans 12:16; Psalm 49:6-9; 1 Corinthians 1:30