He was all about power. The more he got, the more he wanted.
He lied to get more power. He stepped on people to clear the way for his ascension up the company ladder. The higher he climbed, the more he believed his rank and position was solely due to him. He thought he was entitled to power and prestige because of who he was in life. Ultimately, he achieved a measure of the power he sought so desperately. He had achieved greatness, to some people.
But did he really?
Yes, he led a major company with thousands of employees. He was married with three children. He had a big house in a prestigious neighborhood. He had all the toys money could buy. He took fancy vacations in exotic locations.
But had he achieved greatness? Perhaps by man’s standards, but what about God’s?
Jesus’ Warning
Jesus warned his followers about the dangers of greed. “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions,” said Jesus (Luke 12:15). It does no good to store up possessions for yourself when you are not rich toward God (Luke 12:21).
In God’s economy, there is a wrong way to achieve greatness.
The Wrong Way
There were two young men, named James and John, who worked at their father’s fishing business. They were successful as fishermen, which provided a nice income, a good house, and even servants to manage the business and take care of their every need.
Their dad, Zebedee, was a bigshot. He had a home in Galilee and another in Jerusalem. Zebedee was even good friends with Caiaphas, the High Priest of the Israelites.
Their mother, Salome, was the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Then one day as they were fishing Jesus came along. He called James and John to follow Him and said that He would make into them fishers of men (Luke 5:10-11). So, they left their father’s fishing business and followed Jesus.
One day, Jesus told His disciples what would happen to Him in the near future.
James and John, along with Salome, their mother, approached Jesus privately and asked him a favor.
They boldly asked Jesus when He attained to His kingdom if one of them could sit on His right and the other on His left. Now, to sit on the king’s right was the second most powerful position in the kingdom. Likewise, sitting on the king’s left was the next most powerful position.
Perhaps they thought that being men of wealth and social position entitled them to sit next to Jesus? Perhaps they thought that being cousins entitled them?
Regardless of the reason, they sought power and position because they believed they were entitled to it.
Needless to say, their request did not sit well with Jesus. He explained they did not understand what they were asking, and the decision regarding who would sit at His right and left hand was made by the Father.
When the rest of the disciples heard what James and John requested, they weren’t happy either. Jesus called them all together and told them they are not to behave like the rulers of the Gentiles who lord their power over their subjects.
Instead, he said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be a slave to all” (Mark 10:43-44).
The Right Way
Jesus explained in God’s economy, those who are great are those who serve, and those who desire to be first must be a slave to everyone.
We must serve those we lead, to be great leaders. We must be servant leaders.
Greatness in God’s economy is the exact opposite of greatness in mankind’s economy.
A Sad Ending
My acquaintance who lied and stepped on people in his quest for power was taken down by some of the same people he hurt on the way up the ladder. He lost his reputation in the business. He had an affair and lost his family.
His quest for power brought him to the top for a little while, but it didn’t last. Eventually, he lost everything he considered so important, the power, the prestige, his family, the big house, and all the toys. In the end, he wasn’t so great after all.
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Do you have experience with people who sought greatness in the wrong way?
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Category: Personal Development | Character
