14 The Pharisees (who loved money) heard all this and ridiculed him. 15 But Jesus said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Scott Favelle

This is one of those passages that is short but can really cut you to the core. It makes me ask myself the question: Do I value what God values?

The Pharisees were people of wealth and status. They would put on the appearance of righteousness, but they were only interested in seeking the approval of people rather than of God. This is a worldly attitude that is still normal in society today. Our society honours and esteems people who have wealth and power. Those things are highly valued by our world, but in this passage Jesus declares them to be detestable in God’s sight.

As Christians we are not immune to the influence of the world we live in. We can very easily start aligning our values with the world rather than God. I feel the pull of this. Sometimes I see those who are rich and successful, and I desire to be like them. Or on the other side of the coin, I sometimes find my value in my own wealth or achievements rather than in the things that God values.

Pray that we all will seek the approval of God by trusting in Jesus, rather than seeking people’s approval, and that in our hearts we will value what God values rather than what our society values. Pray that God will help us, as Paul says: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). And pray that we would all “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.