The Popularity Compromise

The poor are shunned even by their neighbors......but the rich have many friends.  (14.20)

 Wealth brings many friends... ...but a poor man’s friend deserts him.  (19.4)

 A poor man is shunned by all his relatives; how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.  (19.7)

According to Solomon, the rich have many friends.  Obviously this is still true.  There are other things that work like wealth and can make you popular.  Being really good looking can make us popular … having a great sense of humor, being charming and nice and well-spoken … all of these things can make us popular.  In fact, today many people are famous for nothing more than their looks and/or wealth.  

The woman in the picture to the right is considered by many to be attractive, and she’s certainly wealthy.  What has she contributed to the world?  Nothing – as far as anyone can tell, yet her appearance and wealth make her popular, just as Solomon predicted.  Again: what has she added to the world?  Why do we idolize people who are 'cool' or rich or popular or attractive ... but add absolutely nothing of real value to make the world a better place? 

What do you think about this woman?  Is she a hot babe with lots of money?  No, she’s Mother Theresa.  Her popularity was very different, as was her wealth.

What about Jesus?  No, Jesus was said to be unattractive, "like a root that grows up out of parched earth," and "one from whom men turn their faces." (Isaiah 53)  Was he wealthy?  No, he was homeless. 

We are taught by Jesus that we have to make a choice in life.  Jesus said we can’t choose two masters.  He said we must love one and hate the other. (Matthew 6.24)

Which master will you choose?  Would you like to be attractive, rich, funny, likeable and worthless, or will you put God’s Kingdom ahead of all your other interests?