Tag: Mammon

Overcoming Distractions: Maintaining Focus on Spiritual Responsibilities

Brent Pollard

We all have spiritual responsibilities. Unfortunately, we do not always meet them. We frequently let these responsibilities slip despite being fully aware of their importance. A study of the Scriptures reveals three significant sources of distraction from our spiritual obligations.

First is pursuing material wealth (refer to Matthew 6.24–34). In this passage, Jesus warns against serving God and the embodiment of wealth, or Mammon. Life isn’t all about material things. We create a spiritual void when we focus solely on meeting material needs. The theologian Augustine referred to this as a “God-shaped blank” within us, emphasizing our innate desire to worship and serve God. If God does not fill this void, something else, most often Mammon, will. Possessions and pleasures can quickly become idols in our lives. However, Jesus assures us that if we prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness, our material needs, like those of the creatures in His creation, will be met. The problem arises when our faith wanes, and we forget God’s promise. In times of financial difficulty, we may believe it is solely our responsibility to fix things rather than trusting God’s provision. While we must continue to work, like the birds searching for worms, we must not allow anxiety to consume us. Excessive devotion to Mammon causes spiritual suffering and neglect of spiritual responsibilities.

Second, we may pay attention to the wrong things (Matthew 14.28–33). This passage depicts Peter walking on the raging Sea of Galilee, echoing Jesus’ feat. But Peter begins to sink when he starts paying attention to the wind and waves rather than focusing on Jesus. Similarly, the people in our lives might serve to divert our attention from Jesus, which is why 1 Corinthians 5.6 and 15.33 warn us to be cautious. Likewise, worldly concerns, wealth, and pleasures can choke out God’s Word, preventing us from bearing fruit (Luke 8.14). Our faith may wane, just as Peter’s did if we allow the world’s distractions and temptations to consume us. We must constantly refocus our attention on Jesus and place our relationship with Him first and foremost. We can ensure that we continue to grow in our faith and bear fruit for God’s kingdom by doing so.

Finally, we become fixated on minor issues (Luke 10.38–42). In this story, Martha over-prepares because she intends to serve Jesus and His disciples. Jesus corrects her, saying that her sister Mary is doing what is genuinely needed by focusing on her spiritual needs. Too often, we allow valid but minor issues to divert our attention away from our spiritual responsibilities. Brother Maxie Boren gave an example of a congregation arguing over a surplus of bricks rather than focusing on evangelizing their community, which resulted in zero evangelistic efforts. Sometimes, even good intentions can distract us from our spiritual responsibilities, like chasing after money or being in a negative environment. Recognizing that our spiritual needs should always precede trivial matters is crucial. We can better serve our community through the proclamation of the Gospel if we put our spiritual duties first. Maintaining vigilance and not allowing eternally insignificant matters to impede our progress in fulfilling our spiritual responsibilities is critical. 

Let us strive to stay focused, fulfilling our spiritual responsibilities and avoiding pitfalls related to wealth, our environment, and trivialities.

A Tale Of Two Shepherds

Friday’s Column: Brent’s Bent

Brent Pollard

It’s a safe assumption that even the unchurched have heard the 23rd Psalm, given its connection to funerals or memorial services. It is a most comforting psalm, but we note the implications for the deceased are only found in the final verse, in which David confidently asserts that the righteous dead will dwell in the Lord’s House forever. Otherwise, the psalm depicts what the Good Shepherd does for His living sheep. In the New Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10.11,14).  

In contrast to the 23rd Psalm, Jesus is the One walking not only in the shadow of the valley of death but into the grave itself, laying down His life for the sheep. However, this difference does not suggest that Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, does not still provide the same blessings to God’s sheep living under the New Covenant. Indeed, John 10.10 tells us He gives us abundant life. So, the first Shepherd, the One with Whom we are most familiar, is the Shepherd Whose voice we must hear (John 10.3-5, 14-16). 

But what of the other shepherd? For illustrative purposes, we will call him “Mammon.” In Psalm 49, the psalmist, presumably one of Korah’s sons, presents a didactic poem. Essentially, by calling it didactic, we are acknowledging that it is a poem that teaches an important lesson (or lessons). The instruction found in Psalm 49 is a warning against trusting in one’s riches. In Psalm 49.14, the psalmist says: 

“They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions” (NASB1995). 

Despite sounding like a 1980s hair metal band, the 49th Psalm teaches about the “Death Shepherd.” The “they” in the first part of verse 14 are those trusting in material wealth. The latter part of the verse reveals that death will separate them from their wealth. Note that the son of Korah provides a parenthetical contrast. The upright will prevail over them in the morning. Commentators acknowledge this is an understanding of a coming resurrection day, even if not explicitly stated. You can come away with no other interpretation, especially as you read the next verse. 

“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself” (Psalm 49.15 NASB1995).  

On the other hand, Mammon will prevent you from being able to serve God (Matthew 6.24). He fills one with anxiety and makes them forget the Providence of God (Matthew 6.25-34). The Death Shepherd is an enticing distraction, not unlike the storied Pied Piper of Hamelin, who led away the innocents with his magical piping. The Death Shepherd entrances the susceptible sheep with wealth but pastures them in destruction from which the sheep cannot escape. Both this son of Korah and Jesus, through His Parable of the Rich Fool, remind us that one’s riches end up the property of another after death (Psalm 49.10; Luke 12.16-21). Thus, one forfeits his or her immortal spirit for nothing worthwhile compared to the price he or she pays (Matthew 16.26).  

Two voices are calling to the sheep today. One is the voice of the Good Shepherd. The other voice is the Death Shepherd. Endeavor to make sure you heed the correct One so that you end up in the correct sheepfold!