Proverbs 12:9-10

⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. ¹⁰ The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

Sedan or Sport Car

There are numerous videos circulated online where somebody pretending to be nobody. In one online video of a rich young woman wears ordinary outfit; she was presented taking selfie of herself in front of a sedan. Then an owner of the sedan approached the young woman and handed her the key and told her, “Here is the key; get inside the car so that your selfie will be more believable.”

The young woman entered and sat inside the car; she told her mom on the phone, “See Mom, I am inside this car, I am driving now, so, bye for now!”  The young woman returned the key and thanked the owner and left. The owner of the sedan shook her head and said, “Oh! Young people!” Few moments later, a very luxurious looking sports car stopped right in front of her. It’s the young woman who’s taking selfie; she shouted “Thank you!” then drove away. The sedan owner was left puzzled why that young woman took selfie in an ordinary sedan.

Of course, it was just a short online video that garnered millions of views and comments. Million viewers may have been curious to watch how rich people react when someone takes selfie with their car. This theme “Pretending to be nobody” of online videos had become money making short films in the internet.

Together, let us reflect on what it advised in 2 Corinthians 8:8-9, ⁸Test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Non-religious people may criticize church attendees as hypocrites, why? They may expect kind and good behavior from Christians. If Christians pretend to be pious and religious, it could be because they have not matured spiritually yet.

Pretension of care for others is wasted effort. So, how can we be good and kind to others spontaneously without forcing the issue? Goodness and kindness are fruit of the Holy Spirit, so we pray to be filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Then spontaneously, we’ll be good and kind to others. God rewards goodness and kindness; they practically prove trust in him when inspired by his Holy Spirit.

Another challenge for Christians is behavior toward materialism. We want to buy what others have; we want to explore what they experience, don’t we? Materialism entices us, especially, young people. They want to buy high-tech gadgets that their friends have, and they are consumed at having the best toy.

Social media has amplified pretension, not just young people; anyone may pretend to be somebody when they feel like nobody cares for them. Social media profile pictures become nice-looking and attractive after they edited their pictures. They are attracted to fantasy of being somebody when in real life they’re nobody.

 1.  Nobody

⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

Which one do you prefer: “To be popular but hungry or to have servants?” This biblical reality requires wisdom to personally internalize it. Anyone may want to be like their favorite famous celebrities. Popularity tickles many individuals. They may feel elated to have many followers and subscribers in social media.

This proverb, ^“Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food,” is a reality that separates intelligent person from pretenders. Pretending to be somebody may have been their comfort for themselves from what do not actually possess. But the intelligent person is focused on what is essential to him and not concerned about being famous.

Politics

One major problem in politics is that the popular person could be elected in the office even if other candidates are better qualified. And, what happens? The nation suffers because of that. Last week, we were reminder that Jesus Christ died and resurrected. Popularity in politics was instrumental to this divine drama.

Together, let’s personally reflect on what it narrated in Matthew 27:21-24,

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to set free?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. ²² “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” ²³ “Why? What wrong has he done?” asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” ²⁴ Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere. Instead, the crowd was starting to get angry. So he took water and washed his hands in front of them. “I am not guilty of this man’s death,” he said. “You are accountable for that!”

Pilate the governor did not govern well; he knew that Jesus was innocent; but, he let the people decided, why? Pilate wanted to please the people, why? If people start riot in his jurisdiction, the Roman government will remove him from office. The role of Pilate as governor was to maintain peace in his jurisdiction.

Before they crucified Christ, multiple injustices happened. And God the Father allowed his precious son Jesus Christ to be unfairly treated. It significantly illustrated partiality among human beings. If the Son of God was persecuted, if Christ was not fairly treated, should we expect better treatment or experience? It says in Ecclesiastes 3:17, ¹⁷God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.

The Lord allows situations to happen within his purposes. To prepare and have plans is advisable, but first and foremost, we should pray that God fills our hearts and minds of the things he has designed and allows for us to have. It’s our practice of faith to trust that the Lord really cares for our needs. Do you agree?

2.  Need

¹⁰ The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

People may suppose that if you are kind to animals, you are good person.  Every person is unique. Surely, there people who are kind to animal and also kind to people but such reality does not necessarily apply to everyone else. Of course, there are extreme groups who promote the welfare of animals, but they can be cruel and not kind to other people who might oppose their agenda.

Well at least, if a person cares for the needs of their animals, there is a possibility that that person is righteous, kind or good fellow. But how should we interpret when it says, “The kindest act of the wicked are cruel?”

Overpopulation

Somewhere else, overpopulation of feral dogs or stray cats is a problem. The government has proposed to euthanize stray dogs or feral cats to prevent them from causing disturbance or accidental bites among pedestrians. Groups who promote the welfare of animals: how do they react to such proposal? Is it considered cruelty for the government to euthanize feral dogs or stray cat? Some people consume dogs or cats as delicacy, but other people would euthanize stray cats or feral dogs rather than giving them for others who want to eat them.

What should be our attitude as Christians to such conflicting reality? Well, this world offers many interesting ideas, situations, events and circumstances that may attract our attention, and we can be disturbed and affected. But, have you ever pondered that those concerns can be instrumental for us to be diverted from our main goal and purposes of preparing for our eternal dwelling?

Together, let us meditate on 2 Peter 1:3-4, ³His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

The term corruption in the world is not limited to corruption of elected officials. Anything that deteriorates, perishes or has no eternal value is included in the corruption. By faith, we trust that the Lord had already delivered everything we need for goodly life. So, it is part of the wonders of God for us to discover and explore how we may access to those things that the Lord had already delivered.

We don’t pretend like we don’t need anything. We still need practical things for us to be more effective in our testimonies. Challenges in life that God allows to happen should motivate us in our pursuit for more eternal treasures.

Keep that in mind even in the midst of everyday struggles and pains.

As we avoid pretensions, we should be intentional in our eternal goals.

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