Such a Strange Devotion – Titans of Industry
I have an odd devotion today.
I hesitate to write my thoughts but the Lord just won’t let me escape what is pressing on my heart. So here goes….
Most of you know I read through the Bible every year using my daily Bible. In the recent weeks of early summer I have traveled through the generations of Jewish people in ancient time. The recording of events and the passing of time is uniquely chronicled by the succession of Kings in Judah and Israel in the Old Testament. Sometimes it is riveting and at times, monotonous as I skim the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles.
What recently came to mind is the importance scripture, thus God, Himself places on the Kings. The New Living translation often starts a new King’s narrative such as this:
Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, walking in the ways of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.
Each King is described as either doing evil in the Lord’s sight or doing what is pleasing in the Lord’s sight.
So what, you ask?
Well it occurred to me that in the past I looked at the world with our current governments and likened the countries and nations to these ancient kingdoms. I can definitely see some similarities and to be sure the Lord recognizes the world’s nations much like kingdoms and similarly the nation’s leaders. But, what the Lord is now showing me is this. Although the countries of the world are kingdoms and will be accountable to the Lord on the Day of Judgment, there are other kingdoms present in our world that are much more insidious.
Do the words, Titans of Industry, ring a bell? How about the word, Enron, Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling? How about Bernard Madoff, and more recent, R. Allen Stanford. Corporate jets, lavish vacations, Dom Pérignon, mansions, cash, credit, stock options.
Of late, the people of America and the world have been blasted with reports of financial disaster and many have suffered at the hands of a few “kings.” Millions of hard-working people who went to work every day, put money away in their 401K, skimped and saved, to retire hoping to remain in their home and live a simple but comfortable old age. I guess watching the Enron documentary last night just did me in.
The Lord is revealing these deceptive Kingdoms to the world. They are more evil than Ahab’s Nadab’s and Jeraboam’s combined. The leaders of these financial and corporate kingdoms appear to be honest and above reproach. Their integrity is legend on Wall Street and they are sought out for their wisdom and endorsement. 
However, their true character, now revealed, is black, filled with arrogance, pride and greed. I can promise you there are many more that are yet to be shown for the evil they truly are.
In my prayer time this morning, I couldn’t stop thinking about these new kinds of Kingdoms. They are difficult to define and even more deceptive as they lead millions down the path of destruction with them. Some go willingly and some go without a choice.
The telling of this story is to point out something we may not have pondered prior to now.
We are better off, poorer than richer.
Today, I actually thanked the Lord that He kept me from a sum of money. A few times in my life, I encountered a couple of forks in the road where I could have traveled down the path of money. But, the Lord has kept me from that fate because He knows I would’ve been easily swayed by the trappings of cash.
I heard Him say in my quiet time this morning, Lynn, at each fork in the road, you were not strong enough and your character is more precious than all the money in the world.
He is right!
I would be lost in my own little kingdom today. Would you?
I know many of us are struggling financially. We can’t sleep at night worrying about our home. We wonder when we can buy groceries again, and how in the world we are going to pay the electric tomorrow. But, can I ask you to trust Him?
Can you say, Lord give me just enough? Give me just what I need. My kingdom is your Kingdom. You sit on the throne of my life. This is where real and lasting happiness dwells.
God bless you, Lynn
Also, if the Lord has graced you with the strength and character to handle wealth, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We need heroes right now who are not guided by greed and arrogance but who demonstrate stewardship, integrity and honorable living. Thank you!
I would love to hear any story about a King of Industry. The evil and especially the good. If you know a story and can give us a link, please do or write you story here and let the Lord be honored.
Love you. Have a wonderful Day!
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I’m so glad you shared this, Lynn! God bless you!
What you say may be true. I can see how the world is now paying the price for bad decisions made on the part of the leaders. I also saw pay back on the part of my husbands employer. After his bypass. They took away his insurance and only let him work 1 day a month. He was a foreman at an asphalt company. He gave them his life. And they took his. We had to sell every thing in St. Louis and move to the country where we are now. And live 2 years with no income or health care. Now we have ss and they have shut there doors. With out hubby the company folded. They reaped the wealth for 30-40 years. At the expense of many.
Bless you for sharing this.
You know while sitting at dinner, during our vacation, my father in law said, “I sure would love to know what it feels like to be stinkin rich.” Mind you some people may classify him as VERY well off (aka..me). I looked over at him and said, “You know I have no desire what-so-ever to be stinkin rich.” Sure I would love to be able to pay my bills when they come in and not worry about grocery shopping, but I have no desire to be rich.
He looked at me shocked and laughed it off and said, “well girl then you are on your own.” I think you put it in better word how I was feeling.
Thanks for this devotional. And it is good to know I am not alone. =)
Great devotion. I don’t think it’s weird at all! And I’m going to share it with my readers! Thank you for following God’s call on your writing!
Thank you Lynn for sharing. My family as well as many others I know are facing financial hardships right now. Your post brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with Thanksgiving.
You are a blessing!
Oh, Lynn, you have said so well what I have been thinking about — the greed of the world. I so agree (although we are not yet hit by cut-backs or job loss), I rather be who I am in Him and being ‘stink’ rich’ like Lori has put it 🙂
Well, to be honest, on name came to mind: “W***Mart”. I truly believe that they have contributed to the state America is in — they pressured their supplies to go low cost, so the suppliers had to move production out of this country…I think I really, really need to write the post about W***Mart – I just have to get all my ducks in a row 🙂
Thank you so much for speaking up, my sweet friend.