Reconciliation.Cafe

Balaam was a prophet for hire. He first appears in the Bible in the book of Numbers chapter 22. He would go where the money was. He would prostitute his gift as his profession. In 2nd Peter chapter 2 Balaam is described as someone “who loved gain from wrongdoing”. He touted his gifts, but had no desire to be a good person, or be the bearer of good fruit. Peter goes on to warn the reader saying in verse 19 “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” The Greek word for corruption that’s used here is phthoras meaning “corruption, decay, rottenness, decomposition”.

Using smooth talk, and flashy gifts. Those are mere parlor tricks mesmerizing the weak and simple-minded. 1 Peter 3:10 warns of using our lips to speak deceit. The Greek word for deceit here is “dolos”.

dólos – properly, bait; (figuratively) deceit (trickery) using bait to alure (“hook”) people, especially those already festering in excessive, emotional pain (brought on by themselves).

Not just lying, but using our words to bait people who are already emotionally distressed. That is manipulation.

To tout gifts without bearing good fruit is not the way of Christ. Worldly people can do even that. What should set you apart oh prophet is the fruit. Do you have the nature of God’s character displaying from your branches or are you just carrying the gift’s of God’s hand in yours. One is transactional, one stems from true relationship. Balaam was a truly gifted prophet, but he chased money, fame, earthly influence. Oh what he could’ve done for the Kingdom, if he shifted his priorities.

Self-sacrifice is the final piece. To lay down your own desires, your own plans, your own direction, your own personal ministry, if it doesn’t line up with what God is saying for you right now, or ever.

The prophetic without righteousness is damning. First and foremost to the Kingdom of God, but eventually to the prophet himself. We will all be held accountable for our actions, big or small. We will give an account to not only our actions, but to our motives. Oh prophet, please feel the weight of this.

When did payment for our gifts replace edifying others around us. When we mis-prioritize this, we become more worried about feeding ourselves and our ego, rather than feeding the hurting around us.

It’s not wrong to get paid for what you do. Please hear me. But when money is involved, be even more so diligent to interrogate your motives, lest you become a slave to it. In this day and age, influence and gaining followers can equate to a payday. However, don’t place monetization over mercy and compassion. Don’t place shiny flashy things over producing something eternal that will have real impact. We all have skills, talents, and spiritual-gifting. But taking the time to cultivate real fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, is how we will change our world.

Impact over influence.