The Right Use Of Power

The saying, “Money is power,” is the principle that drives most societies of the world (including our own). People scramble for wealth, often at the price of personal integrity, in order to gain the power to live where and how they want, drive the kind of vehicle they want, and get whatever else they want.

In a society that worships money, there are Christians in that society in danger of doing the same. Some use their money to control their family, others selfishly hoard their money (cf. Luke 12:16-21), while others may threaten to stop giving to the church if they don’t get their way.

This attitude is totally unlike Jesus’ attitude regarding power! He had power over disease, He used that power to heal the sick (Matthew 9:6). He had power over the sea, and He used it to remove fear (Mark 4:36-41). He had power to create (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), and He fed thousands (Matthew 14:15-21). He had power over sin, and He forgave sinners (Matthew 9:2). He had power over His own life (John 10:17-18), yet He willingly gave up His life to save all who would call upon Him (Romans 5:6-8; Romans 10:13; cf. Psalm 145:18; Acts 22:16).

Jesus possessed all power (Matthew 28:18), yet He used that power to serve others. He was called “Lord” by the disciples in the Upper Room, yet He was the only servant there (John 13:1-17). He demonstrated the attitude of a servant by washing their feet! When Peter protested, Jesus answered, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8).

Beloved, instead of using our money (or anything else for selfish means), let’s use it to willingly serve the Lord and our fellow-man (Leviticus 22:29; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

That’s the right use of power.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets