Seeking Greatness

Wouldn't it be great to be great?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire. - Matt. 18:1-9

It's an ego thing, I know.  Seeking greatness is the mind patting itself on the back and saying, "You're the Man (or Woman)."

It's having your own Wikipedia page and having people keep it current with all your amazing accomplishments and fascinating stories.

But most of us are not going to attain such notoriety.  We may be considered great in the eyes of a few, like our children and grandchildren, but beyond that?

That's enough for me, though.  It should be, right?

So, seeking greatness is okay as long as it doesn't corrupt an innocent.

That should be easy, I think.

Now, Jesus had a thing about wealth and riches. He believed they created opportunities for individual corruption.

He has a point there.  We've seen that happen, but is it guaranteed?  There are billions of dollars donated by wealthy people through their foundations each year, so that's a good thing.  

Of course, we don't know if anyone in those families has been led astray by the temptations that wealth brings but look at all the good it supports.

So, it may be a worthwhile challenge to become great and not corrupt in the process.

I guess the advice here is what we've heard already.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added onto you.

More to come..