I think most of us would agree that we witness examples in society of greed and pursuit of power in which individuals forsake the ways of God in pursuit of personal money or power. It is easy to look at dramatic examples and pick them out. I hope most of us would agree we would not do as Jehoram did in 2 Chronicles 21. But that is an extreme example.
Jehoram followed Jehoshaphat and Asa as king of Judah, both of whom were generally righteous kings, walking in the ways of David for much of their reign. Jehoram, however, turned away from righteousness and Yah’s way and toward the way of the wicked kings of Israel at that time, like Ahab.
He had every opportunity to continue ruling in a righteous manner according to his family heritage. However, he chose another path… a wicked path which is far from the LORD.
Truly, though we are not all going to be king or ruler with broad authority in our lives, we all must answer this fundamental question:
“At what price will we pursue our own personal wealth and power?”
Another fundamental question would be to really consider, “In whom will we put our trust? Yahweh or ourselves?”
Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat in Judah
1Then Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place. 2He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael and Shephatiah. All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.
4Now when Jehoram had taken over the kingdom of his father and made himself secure, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and some of the rulers of Israel also. 5Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab did (for Ahab’s daughter was his wife), and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 7Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever.
Most of us would say something like, “Of course I would never do what he did!” Let us take caution, however and prayerfully reflect, asking the Spirit to guide us and reveal to us any wrong motives or approach in our own lives. It will not always be killing others, but may still be harming others in some way to secure what we want in our own way. It may not be as obvious as a kingdom to rule, but many people act similarly even just for something worth a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. Many go astray and fight over inheritances. Others may fight over positions or promotions at work or even in ministry!
Let us each commit to seek the LORD and follow His ways and trust in Him!
Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way and use it for His glory rather than your own. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .