No Celebrities in the Kingdom of God
Celebrity lifestyles are not for disciples of Christ. Jesus, being God himself, did not live like a king or celebrity. It took Judas kissing him for the Jews to even identify him on the night he was arrested because he was so ordinary. Jesus CHOSE to ride on a donkey (a despised animal) in his entry to Jerusalem despite crowds worshipping him.
Many times Jesus hid himself from the crowds, not wanting recognition. He removed his tunic and washed his disciple’s dusty feet. He had no place to lay his head. Jesus ate with his disciples and slept with them. He borrowed ships from people rather than buy a private ship. Jesus walked from town to town when he could have had a horse. He dwelt in people’s homes when he traveled and not lodgings, let alone expensive ones.
His apostles followed suit. In the entire New Testament, there is no talk or boast of the apostle’s lavish lifestyles. They lived simply and humbly. Paul many times chose to walk rather than take a ship. He too, like Jesus and the other apostles, lived in believers’ homes when he traveled. Paul chose to work with his hands despite his great authority so that the purity of the gospel may be preserved. And he also took care of the needs of those who traveled with him. He was not interested in money. All the prophets in the Bible, without exception, lived simple lives of modesty on purpose.
Celebrity pastors of the last days!
But nowadays we see the opposite. We see celebrity preachers, both men and women, who live like kings; they use believers’ offerings to live lavish lifestyles, ride on private jets, go on expensive holidays, parade their designer outfits and makeup, and buy expensive vehicles and homes in the name of preaching the gospel. My question is, which gospel? Because Jesus himself, our Lord and Master, did not preach or live such a gospel, and neither did his apostles. Jesus said that we must not lord it over others but that the greatest should be the least and the first should be the servant of all.
This modern gospel is contrary to the apostle’s warnings about wealth and riches. Paul tells us not to desire to be rich but to be content with the basics. The scriptures say that wealth is mainly to advance the purposes of God and to help the poor, not to show off. This was the attitude of the early Christians; the wealth of the rich was for the poor because it was considered their gift from God for his service. We see how the early church laid great wealth at the apostles’ feet for the apostles to live in luxury but to support those who were less fortunate among them!
Modern-day money-minded churches, however, look down on the poor and even go to the extent of saying poverty is a sin! We find wealthy churches where a poor person cannot even enter because they would feel unworthy or a sinner because of the lavish appearance of the members. This is contrary to the spirit of the gospel. Peter and Paul both warned in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Peter 3 that we should avoid dressing in expensive apparel. The reason is that it fosters pride and creates class divisions in the church. James also warns believers to avoid discrimination and classism in the church, which is bound to happen when money and luxury are on full display.
We are called to be servants and not celebrities!
True Christians are servants like their master Jesus. They are modest and humble in appearance and lifestyle. Not because they can’t afford expensive, lavish lifestyles but because they have their priorities straight. They lay up treasures in heaven by investing their wealth where God demands and asks: spreading the gospel, taking care of family, taking care of preachers who need it (not making them rich), and helping the poor, orphans, and widows.
Additionally, true disciples of Christ know that money corrupts, and so they beat the flesh by denying it the luxury it wants to feel superior. Modest living is a form of self-denial, self-fortification, and self-discipline that Jesus asks of his followers that their focus may instead be on the eternal kingdom of God rather than building worldly kingdoms.
Lay up treasures in heaven that shall be waiting for you when you get there; these are eternal and will never fade. You accumulate these when you focus on seeking and serving the Kingdom of God and his purposes.
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