4. Self-esteem. Those who accumulate money for self-esteem do so that others might envy them. This is a worldly motive, yet it characterizes many Christians. Those who suffer under this motive use their money in an attempt to buy esteem even from their own families. They want people to cater to them, to elevate them, and to always yield to their way. Such people never share with anyone except to promote themselves. They do nothing anonymously; when they give, they do it in sight of other people. And they expect esteem in return. This attitude characterizes Sam Superior and his wife Sally Society. Sam tires to convince everyone that he came up the hard way. He points out that he never had a new sports car in high school. He worked at the “bottom” in business as a junior vice-president in his father’s factory. Sam and Sally go to church every Sunday (except for an occasional Sunday golf game) where Sam is the chief elder. They have several pews named after them and pledge to the building program. Neither is sure exactly how to become a Christian, but they assume it must be by osmosis. Their names always appear in the society pages in connection with charitable benefits. Sam thinks life has been pretty good to him except he can’t understand why his daughter ran away and his youngest son dropped out of school to live with some hippies. He’s sure Sally was right in telling him to get rid of that young preacher who talked about knowing God personally. And he agrees with her that the church has enough problems without inviting a bunch of strangers to visit like that preacher keeps suggesting. A Christian cannot accumulate for self-esteem within God’s plan. Esteem and importance will fade as quickly as the money. Are you working for the esteem of men or the rewards of God?

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