One hardly blinks an eye when they hear politicians taking credit for positive results from various policies which they have implemented. Yet one never hears them take the blame for unforeseen problems which might arise from the same. You might say that this sort of rhetoric just goes with the territory and actually demonstrates the bent of natural men as well as illustrating the base sort of men which the LORD is pleased to set in places of government. (see Dan.4:17)
The LORD pointed out this same trait when HE singled out the Pharisees and their desire to be seen as “holy men”. “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” (Mat 23:4-7)
These characteristics are quite in opposition to those principles which are acceptable in the Kingdom of GOD. ‘Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. ---But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: --- And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. --- But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret.” (Mat 6:2-6)
The natural religious bent of man, moves him to put his religion on display. This is very appealing to the flesh and feeds into his desire to be well regarded by other men, thus earning their coveted regard. It is seen in those who love the “chief seats” and titles of distinction, among the sons of GOD, and by those who desire to be noticed by others in their level of devotion.
The LORD took notice of a poor widow who cast in “all her living” (i.e.; all the means of livelihood that she had) in to the treasury of the Temple. HE used her selfless example to teach HIS disciples of the nature of accounting in the Kingdom of GOD. She not only gave more than those wealthy men who cast in out of their great abundance, but she did so without fanfare, seeking no recognition for her act of love, which she was moved to manifest by the SPIRIT of GOD. There is no greater blessing bestowed upon the sons of GOD than to give freely of those things which they possess unto the LORD. Paul recounts this teaching of the LORD JESUS, which he had demonstrated to the Ephesian elders: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Act 20:35)
The LORD stands in need of nothing which men might give or of any service they might render. HE does bless them, however, by enabling them to give of themselves to HIM even as Paul recounts of the generosity of the Macedonian brethren. “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” 2Cor 8:3-5)
We read in Solomon’s writings of a “poor wise man” who delivered a besieged city by his wisdom, yet the inhabitants of this city forgot him or, as we might say, had no regard to HIM. This is, no doubt, a reference to JESUS CHRIST who has delivered HIS people while they were yet sinners, living in a city (this wicked world) besieged by a great enemy. That enemy is the prince of the power of the air, the god of this world, who has a willing subject in the flesh of men.
The LORD JESUS came into this world as a poor man, yet full of wisdom and the power of the HOLY GHOST. HE dwelt among the sinners of this world as HE companied with harlots, winebibbers, and publicans. HE had no place to lay HIS head and possessed no earthly riches. HE was despised and rejected by those HE came to serve, HIS truth was disregarded by men and HIS wisdom was counted by them as foolishness. Yet HE ministered among them and spoke words of TRUTH and LIGHT.
It is by HIS wisdom that victory is brought to this city, for HE ordained every aspect of the world’s creation in order to demonstrate the glory of HIS grace. Who among men can fathom the depths of HIS wisdom or uncover the limits of HIS grace and truth, which HE not only, taught to men as HE walked in this world, but demonstrated by HIS life and ultimately HIS death on the cross as an atonement for HIS people’s sin. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isa 53:3-4) “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:10-11)
There was nothing seen in HIM by the wicked men of this world that would cause them to recognize HIS greatness nor to embrace HIS teaching. HE came not with great fanfare nor did HE seek to exalt HIMSELF, but rather came to do HIS FATHER’s will and to manifest HIS glory as HE bore witness to the TRUTH and WISDOM of GOD. HE spoke of a Kingdom which is in no wise of this world, nor one which could be gained by the endeavor of men. Rather it is a Kingdom which none can even see apart from being born again by HIS HOLY SPIRIT’s power.
As such, HE spoke of a Kingdom, which man, by nature, will despise because it gives no place for him to glory in having attained even a glimpse of it by HIS own will and understanding. This is a kingdom which exalts none but CHRIST and those who are given grace to enter therein, desire that no other NAME be glorified, nor any message preached but that which centers upon the work which HE performed as their REDEEMER and KING. There is but one hierarchy in this Kingdom: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Col 1:16-20)
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, (even as the poor widow) did give all of HIS “living” for the people which HE came to save. HE held back nothing, but gave HIMSELF. There is to be but one motivation for the sons of GOD to be found walking in this world as the followers of this “poor wise MAN.” “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Eph 5:1-2) “ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2) In what do you glory?