Randy Alcorn: TheDangers of Worldliness

If we desire to look out for our own best interests, in the truest sense, we will seek our reward later, not now; and not here, but there…

James warns us of the dangers of worldliness: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Imagine an ambassador from the United States who goes to work in another country hostile to America. Naturally, he’ll want to learn about this new place, see the sights, become familiar with the people and culture.

But suppose eventually he becomes so comfortable in this foreign country that he begins to regard it as his true home. His allegiance wavers. He gradually compromises his position as an American ambassador. He becomes ineffective in representing the best interests of his mother country. His loyalties are transferred and eventually he defects. First he becomes useless to the cause of his own country. Then he betrays it.

Randy Alcorn in Money, Possessions, and Eternity (Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 2003) 163. Download the book in PDF form freely here. And enjoy the header photos this week from Trinity College, Bristol, where I did my Ph.D. in New Testament.

This is the second of seven posts from this book at this time. Special thanks to Courtney Markley for collaborating with me to identify key quotes from this great book. If you missed the back story on these posts, go back and read yesterday’s post.

I have two comments today about the dangers of worldliness.

First, no one makes a conscious decision to lose sight of who they are, why they are on this earth, and what awaits them in eternity. It always happens through a series of small steps related to friendship with the world. After many small steps over time, such people find themselves miles off course.

That means we must make the conscious decision to remember who we are, why we are here, and keep our focus on heaven rather than earth.

Second, useless stewards end up betraying the Master. This is not a small statement. The word picture of the ambassador is a powerful one. The gradual compromise leads to uselessness, defection, and ultimately betrayal.

Avoiding these dangers is only possible through attentive and humble obedience in the little things.