Movers and Shakers

For many centuries, people have paraded themselves as MOVERS AND SHAKERS. They are the people who ASSUME they are the most important people on planet earth, and who pride themselves about being more intelligent, richer, harder workers, etc., than most people. Every generation has this type of people. Every nation has this type of people. Every church has this type of people. Every university has this type of people. Many examples in the Bible emphasize the fallacy of people setting themselves forth as MOVERS AND SHAKERS.

I. The Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:1-9.
    a. The account of the tower of Babel is one of the earliest stories in the Bible. After the flood in the days of Noah, people on earth multiplied again, and in time people migrated from the east and came to the land of Shinar and settled there. The people VISIONED building a great tower. So they made bricks, burned them thoroughly, made bricks for stone and bitumen for mortar. Out of this they determined that that would build a city and a tower. Their purpose was: "LET US MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES" (Genesis 11:4).
    b. Today, numerous people fall into the same trap. People build impressive buildings of all types, make many types of transportation, put together all kinds of instruments, and the like. All of this looks good, and those who do this get in the headlines of newspapers.
    c. The problem with all this is that those who create and do such things do not address the REAL ISSUES OF LIFE like the heart, righteous speech and living, etc.

II. Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Statue. Daniel 3.
     a. Daniel 3 relates the story of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who built a golden statue which was 60 cubits or 90 feet high and six or nine feet wide which he built in the plain of Dura. Then he commanded all the people of Babylon to come to the statue and fall down and worship the statue. Daniel 3:1-7.
      b. But three Jews in Babylon, Shadrach, Meschech, and Abednego refused to come and worship the statue. The authorities brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar rebuked them sternly and commanded his cronies to throw them into a furnace of flaming fire. Daniel 3:8-18.
      c. When they did this, Yahweh protected Shadrach, Meschech, and Abednego. When Nebuchadnezzar saw this, he praised their God and commanded all people to worship the true and living God. Daniel 3:19-30.
      d. Movers and Shakers quickly learn that God is more powerful than would-be dictators and oppressors on earth whether they be kings or presidents or emperors or bosses or tsars.

III. Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool. Luke 12:13-21.
      a. Jesus was approached by someone who wanted his brother to divide the family inheritance with him. Jesus' response was: "Be on your guard against ALL KINDS OF GREED." A person's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Luke 12:13-15.
      b. Then Jesus told the parable of the rich fool. A rich man received great abundance. So he pondered what he should do. After awhile, he concluded that he would build greater barns and increase his holdings so he can "relax, eat, drink, be merry." Luke 12:16-19.
      c. But God said: "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things your have prepared, whose will they be?" So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21.

IV. BUT people continue to parade themselves as the great MOVERS AND SHAKERS on planet earth. They demean and mistreat others to gain what they want for themselves, often, unfortunately in the name of God and for his cause. But God knows better because God knows the importance of the heart and the lives of godly people, which are the only important issues in life after it is all said and done.

Share YOUR reversals and successes and reservations and concepts and experiences with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis