Identity Crisis: A Lesson Learned From Career Idolatry

Dan. 1:8

Did you ever learn the basic lesson of Dan. 1:8?

Instead of eating the food of the Babylonians, which would be in violation of God's law, Daniel trusts God and eats what He was commanded. He did not, in a surly and obstinate manner, refuse the meat and drink that was brought; but prudently made it a request, and modestly proposed it to the prince.

 The food from the king's table would involve Daniel's relationship with God. The food from the king's table, probably would have been used in the worship of pagan gods. Daniel wanted no participation in any pagan feast, even to the slightest degree. That would be a form of idolatry, and would provoke the wrath of a jealous God. The king’s food represents accepting the king’s friendship and his patronage; because to share food, is to commit oneself to a relationship, and would have caused Daniel to supersede his commitment to his own God—

Many “professional class Christians,” flatter themselves by thinking they’ve outgrown the gospel. They have become dry and have lost their vitality, power and freshness; and have cowered back—lacking courage, and are very fearful and timid. They don’t uphold controversial or unpopular Christian principles, because it would interfere with their idol of “careerism.”
(J. Giboney quote)

Careerism, occurs when someone advances their career at the cost of their own integrity, personal life and ethics. They just want to fit in; even though the word warns about fitting in with the status quo. Fitting in means that you adjust yourself to meet the expectations of others, and thus, deny the power of your own Kingdom principles! When you repress yourself, you are likely repressing your principles as well.

Total commitment to God means our prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, over our relationship with parents, siblings, and other family members, and to remind ourselves that kingdom relationship and lifestyle, is your guiding light and our infallible compass.

Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not to prioritize our relationship, over your relationship with your parents, siblings, and other family members, (such as his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters,) yes, and even your own life), he cannot be My disciple.

His point is not that we are to be heartless toward our families, only that we must love Him more. He is not teaching an emotional hatred of one’s parents, any more than He is teaching self-hatred. The emphasis is on self-denial and absolute surrender.

All believers are called to acknowledge the lordship of Christ and show Him preference over all earthly ties. Those who must sacrifice earthly relationships have this promise:

“No one who has left home, or brothers or sisters, mother or father, or children, for my sake and the gospel, will not fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.”

Kingdom Ambassadors—did you learn the basic lesson of Dan 1:8?
Daniel understood this. How about you?
Shalom and love…