Don't Let Success Be the Enemy of GoodnessSample

Day 3: Success can't buy goodness. 

The powers that be thought they could buy a good outcome for Naaman, but the miracle of divine intervention in our lives can't be bought with money. To his credit, the king of Israel recognized this, but instead of seeking the prophet out, he despaired at what he saw as a diplomatic storm brewing. 

Successful people often assume that other successful people have the answers. That's why the king of Syria sent money and gifts to the king of Israel. He didn't think to cut out the middleman and go straight to the humble prophet of Yahweh. We see the king of Israel's response was quite despairing because although he might have paid lip service to Yahweh, he was more of a pagan in practice. 

Good people know that good people can create good outcomes. That's why the slave girl recommended the prophet in the first place, but it took some time for the desired outcome to come to pass. 

Before we scorn those ancient people and assume that we're so much more 'progressed', are we not guilty of the same kind of thing? Do we not look to the 'great and the good', as though the two were synonymous; rather than looking to the humble, poor servants of the Lord for answers? May God help us to cut out the middlemen and to seek Him and His people for answers! 

'God, forgive us if we ever delude ourselves that we can earn Your love. May we revel in Your mercy and grace for all eternity, amen.' 

Have you come to understand how much more valuable goodness is than success?