Living Large

2 Chronicles 6-9 (10-12)

That's the way of life in America. It's the goal of poor, middle class and the rich. It seems to be the one thing most of us can agree upon, we want to live in the most comfortable way possible, in the biggest way possible.

It's what the commercials and ads are trying to sell us, the lifestyle as much as the product.

It's how we have interepreted our rights in the declaration of independence, the pursuit of happiness.

It's what drives lottery sales, gambling boat income and trips to Vegas and Atlantic City (or now to central Indiana to the horse tracks, southern Indiana to the casinos). It's what drives some to deal drugs, skim from the company, steal from a neighbor. The lure of living large is a constant challenge that can lead to compromise in one's own morals and ethical behaviors. It's walking on the edge of breaking one of the ten commandments (and no, it's not the one about coveting although that one is in danger as well).

Solomon had it all, the favor of God, a powerful father who handed him the greatest kingdom the world had ever seen, riches beyond measure, a people who nearly worshiped him before he even became king, and a special gift of God, wisdom that impressed all the world!

But there is one thing that Solomon had that was his (and his kingdom's) undoing...his desire to live large! While the chronicle of his life in these chapters doesn't specifically show his disobedience, it does show through his son Rehoboam whose decisions early in his reign splits the country in two. He learned some bad practices from his father.

Living large can do that. Now there is nothing wrong with living extravagantly. God gave all of this to Solomon. But he wasn't a good steward of what he had been given. His freedom led to multiple wives, various altars to other gods (to please the wives), children beyond counting from his many wives (and other women in his household), which led to a very dyfunctional family and some poor parenting (from their father).

You see, living large is a danger because it clouds our vision. It helps us forget why we have what we have or from whom it came. Living large is the beginning of breaking the first commandment, "Have no other gods before Me."

I enjoy my life and the many comforts that God has allowed me. But I recognize that sometimes I let these comforts direct my mood, my decision making, my life direction instead of God. On my recent journey to the Holy Land this was illustrated to me very clearly. In Bethlehem, a part of the West Bank (Palestinian controlled) I was able to witness the poverty and joblessness of these dear people. Almost 70% unemployment has led many to desperate measures to feed their family and eek out a living. One of them tried to sell me something on the street, which I didn't want, but when I didn't buy, he said to me, "you don't understand how hard life is here." And he was right.

While I didn't need what he was selling, I was basing my purchases on what I wanted more than what someone else needed. I was focused on me. That's the sin of living large.

So I bought from him, not because I wanted his product or because I could have gotten it somewhere else probably cheaper, but because he needed the income. We tried to give to some of these vendors instead of buying, but they wouldn't hear of it. They were too proud to receive hand-outs. They'd rather earn their way, a very honorable way to live.

Yes, living large isn't a sin, but living for the self is.

Peace ><>
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