How to Avoid the Traps of Success Part 1: The Celebrity Trap

Judges 8:22-35

Gideon's success was astounding. He became the mighty warrior God called him to be. He brought an end to pagan worship and defeated the Midianite army, executed its evil leaders.

“The Israelites said to Gideon, 'Rule over us -- you, your son and your grandson -- because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.’” (Judges 8:22)

The Israelites now wanted Gideon to be their king. He seemed the perfect choice. He had not only delivered them in a miraculous battle, but God spoke to him. A king would make them like the other nations.

Like the Israelites, we can be tempted to seek powerful people to lead us. If we had the right pastor or music leader, we could be like the mega-churches; If we elected the right politician we can put our nation back on track; If we could lead a celebrity to faith in Christ, the world would notice. We shine a spotlight on our Christian celebrities, put them on magazine covers, pay them lots of money, and then expect them to be humble. Why are we surprised when Christian celebrities fall?

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

Gideon avoided the celebrity trap. The Israelites saw Gideon as savior but Gideon saw the Lord as Savior and told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” (Judges 8:23)

We don’t need great men. We need a great relationship with a great God. Jesus chose 12 without a single celebrity in the bunch. The result was that the gospel was received by 3000 in one day and spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. 

Part 2 – The Entitlement Trap

 
Part 3 - The Recognition Trap
 

Let us not give up meeting together

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NIV

A recent op-ed in USA Today noted the fact that many of the rich and powerful who profess to be Christians do not attend church. A five year study of 100 politicians, wealthy businessmen, entertainers and athletes all known for their great faith found that 60% are not active in their church. They all have good excuses that are not too different from your friends and neighbors who rarely show up at church but are full of religious opinions.

These athletes and superstars will come to your church for between $10,000 and $40,000 plus expenses. They will give their testimonies and inspire you with their larger than life faith. I wonder if Jesus would have been impressed by such celebrity?

I find it curious that Reagan and G.W. Bush would profess deep faith yet not be part of a worshipping community. Clinton and Carter made time for church. Putting politics aside for a moment, wouldn’t we expect a person who professes faith to go to church somewhere?

I have known several people who profess deep faith but refuse to become part of a church family. They drift along some of the megachurches or just stay home and criticize the church. For many of them the issue is pride. They want to be Christians on their own terms and will not be held accountable.

If some of these lone ranger believers were to commit to a local church family both the celebrity and the local congregation would be blessed. The biblical model for Christianity is the local congregation as idealized in Acts 2 and in the less exemplary Corinthian church. The church is not perfect but it is blessed by God.

Ministries who chase after celebrities and CEOs for membership on boards and as speakers at fundraising events ought to heed the warning in James 2 about paying undue attention to the wealthy.