27 November, 2013 16:53

BUILDING MONUMENTS or MEN?

Ever since the fall men have sought to build monuments and make a name for themselves. This was one of the driving forces behind the Tower of Babel. “Come let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower…and let us make for ourselves a name…” Time has not changed that deep rooted longing for fame and recognition. Every President toward the end of his presidency begins raising funds for his Presidential Library. These impressive monuments to their legacy are filled with memorabilia, books, photos, and other related objects that tell the story of their past achievements.

The Bible reveals that there are two ways of achieving this goal. The first is to go about it through one’s own effort. This was the method Saul used after defeating the Amalekites. We are told that “Saul came to Carmel, and behold he set up a monument for himself…”

The second way is to simply leave it in God’s hands. This was the case with Abraham. God told him, “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great.”

Now I can fully appreciate the fact that carnal men still possess this deep need to achieve some visible expression of their greatness. However, the carnal man and the spiritual man have nothing in common. Or do they? I find that more often than not, men in ministry would rather build monuments to themselves than mentor men. They would far rather leave behind a legacy of building a sanctuary, rather than pouring their lives into the lives of others. I’m thankful that Jesus didn’t spend all his time fundraising for the Jesus Library or Jesus Temple in Jerusalem. Instead, we are told that He made himself of no reputation. His goal was not to make a name for himself, but to glorify and fulfill the will of His Father. The Father, in turn, bestowed on Him a name that is above every name.

Monuments have never changed a nation, saved a soul from hell, healed a sick body, reconciled a broken marriage, or raised the dead. Men do that and that is why great men invest in others. Jesus chose twelve men to invest His life into. These men in turn ‘turned the world upside down’. Paul challenged Timothy: “the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also”. Do you see a pattern here? Nowhere in the New Testament do we find men building monuments; instead, we see men investing in other men.

Now I have nothing against buildings. I appreciate entering into a warm building on a cold winter’s day or a cool building during the sweltering heat of summer. But let’s face it, a hundred years from now some new pastor will suggest tearing down the old building to make way for a new one. After all, he too wants his own legacy.

What do you want to be remembered for? Building a monument or building men? Building His Kingdom or yours?