Concentrate on finding the special purpose God has for you instead of wishing you were in someone else’s shoes!
Numbers 16:1-3 NLT
[1] One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. [2] They incited a rebellion against Moses, involving 250 other prominent leaders, all members of the assembly. [3] They went to Moses and Aaron and said,“You have gone too far! Everyone in Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than anyone else among all these people of the Lord?”
Chuck Colson, the former White House aide, says, “Power, privilege, position, prestige, and parties—these are the perks of politics.” No doubt there are many men who enter politics with a deep desire to further the well-being of their society. But for others, it is the “perks” that woo them into political life. The opportunity to exercise power and to gain prestige brings its own rewards. Of course, those who hold the power do not relinquish it readily, and those who crave it don’t always use the most benign methods to gain it. The results are often power plays—and they can be ugly (the 2000 Presidential election being a case in point).
Korah is a fine example of power-play politics. Korah was a Levite who had special responsibilities and privileges. But this was not enough for him. He resented Moses’ authority, claiming that everybody was equal and, accordingly, Moses had no right to exercise leadership over anyone else. Korah said, “You have gone too far! Everyone in Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than anyone else among all these people of the Lord?” (Num. 16:3). To reinforce his point, Korah “incited a rebellion against Moses, involving 250 . . . members of the assembly” (Num. 16:2).
As is often the case in matters of contention, there was a germ of truth in what the disaffected were saying. The people of Israel had all been set apart by the Lord for himself, and the Lord was certainly with all of them. In that the contenders were perfectly correct.
But Korah and his friends were still the ones who had “gone too far” (Num. 16:7). While they were all set apart for the Lord in one sense, there was another sense in which each one had his allotted place in the divine economy. But they were not willing to acknowledge this—they wanted to rise above their own allotted place and deny Moses his. Korah was a Levite; he was not a priest. Moses was the leader of Israel; he was not subservient to Korah and his 250 rebels. And it was the Lord who had determined these roles. As Moses pointed out to Korah & Company, “The one you are really revolting against is the Lord!” (Num. 16:11). Korah and his collaborators were attempting a power play. In response, the Lord made Moses’ leadership abundantly clear. Unfortunately, not every power play is as quickly remedied.
Ultimate authority resides with the Lord—he delegates as he chooses. So embrace what he grants you and avoid grasping for what isn’t yours. Otherwise, you might be fighting God. And you could get burned!
Inappropriate ambition is greed in disguise. Concentrate on finding the special purpose God has for you instead of wishing you were in someone else’s shoes.
Numbers 16:8-11 NLT
[8] Then Moses spoke again to Korah: “Now listen, you Levites! [9] Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the LORD’s Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them? [10] Korah, he has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well? [11] The LORD is the one you and your followers are really revolting against! For who is Aaron that you are complaining about him?”
Numbers 16:12 NLT
[12] Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they replied, “We refuse to come before you!
Verse 12 Point: When a leader in God’s Church asks to get with a member and they refuse, they are being contemptuous against God.
Hebrews 13:17 NLT
[17] Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
What one is saying if they refuse to get with the Pastor, Evangelist or Elder/Shepherd is they do not want their Spiritual influence over them any longer. They have put the spiritual leader in a position of not being able to account for their spiritual health before God.
Numbers 16:13-14
[13] Isn’t it enough that you brought us out of Egypt, a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us here in this wilderness, and that you now treat us like your subjects? [14] What’s more, you haven’t brought us into another land flowing with milk and honey. You haven’t given us a new homeland with fields and vineyards. Are you trying to fool these men? We will not come.”
One of the easiest ways to fall away from following God is to look at our present problems and exaggerate them. Dathan and Abiram did just that when they began to long for better food and more pleasant surroundings. Egypt, the place they had longed to leave, was now looking better and better—not because of slavery and taskmasters, of course, but because of its mouthwatering food! These two men and their followers had completely lost their perspective. When we take our eyes off God and start looking at ourselves and our problems, we begin to lose our perspective as well. Overrating problems can hinder our relationship with God. Don’t let difficulties make you lose sight of God’s direction for your life!
GREED IS INVOLVED AT THE ROOT OF EVERY SIN!
Ephesians 5:5-6 NLT
[5] You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. [6] Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
Matthew 6:22-23 MSG
[22-23] “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
Be the light of the World! Store up treasures in Heaven!
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist