Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

2. Jesus just never had the reverence for money that people harbor (Luke 16:13-15)3. when Matthew walked out of that tax office to become a collector of men, he committed himselfto honesty and spirituality, which denies money the power to be an idol in the heart4. but think about the Pharisees who object so strenuously to the Lord dining with greedy taxcollectors when they themselves were such lovers of moneya. could it be true that we as Christians publicly deride greed, selfishness and materialism, butare caught in its cords just the same?b. prioritizing wealth over worship, play over piety, saving over sharing, hoarding overhelping–those are the actions and attitudes of someone who is behaving hypocritically regarding moneyc. “So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of itsowners” (Proverbs 1:19).C. Disillusionment1. it might be surmised that Levi was a disillusioned Jew and it would be understandable if thatwere the casea. long before he lived, the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, disillusioned many worshipers bystealing sacrifices and laying with women in the tabernacle, so that, “men abhorred the offering of theLord” (First Samuel 2:17).b. by the time of Levi, the scribes, Pharisees, elders and chief priests were largely corrupted bytheir own indulgence and enrichment, so that it easy to see how people might become disillusioned withreligionc. Jesus had to go so far as to tell his disciples not to follow the example of the Phariseesbecause they did not practice what they preached (cf. Matthew 23)2. today, there is so much greed, deceit and scandalous sexual immorality among publicly religiouspeople and even ministers that disillusionment among the masses is easy to anticipatea. from the televangelist scandals of the 1980s to the pedophiliac Catholic priesthood exposedmore recently, from the deceptions of fake healers like Benny Hinn to the grifters like Robert Tiltonb. such people have brought shame on Christ and his faith3. it becomes even more important that we let our lights shine and behave as a city set on a hill,avoiding the damage done when we give the adversary opportunity to speak reproachfully (First Peter4:15-16)4. lest you yourself be discouraged and disillusioned, it is important to remember that even thefinest saints are but human and will err and be inconsistent at timesa. only Christ belongs on a pedestal; people will disappoint you if you give them enough timeb. but don’t give up your trust in Christ who will never leave you or forsake youc. people could have been disillusioned by the actions of Demas, Diotrephes, Hymenaeus, JohnMark, Peter and many others, but only the tempter wins then; disillusionment is not a defense onJudgment DayD. Obscurity1. we really learn nothing more about Matthew during the ministry of Christ until we see him listedwith the other apostles at the ascension and establishment of the church of Christ (cf. Acts 1:13)2. while Peter gains the initial spotlight, giving way to Paul in the second part of the Acts, Matthewand most of the others practically disappear from sight3. they labor in practical obscurity, where so much good and worthwhile work gets done4. Ronald Reagan displayed on his desk in the Oval Office a plaque which read, “There is no limitto what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit.”a. there is room in the kingdom for the small things that you can do in practical obscurity,except that God sees them secretly and will reward them openly (cf. Matthew 6:1-5)b. it is only pride that compels us to announce our efforts and accomplishments so that wemight receive a congratulatory pat on the back and public acknowledgment5. be content to labor in obscurity, knowing that your reward is secure in a better placeConclusionCharacter Studies! 137