There’s something about our fallen human nature that makes us want more.
We want more whipped cream on our pound cake, more toppings on our pizza, more results from our workout routine, more money in our take-home pay.
We’re a people who demand more.
But it’s not an American thing.
It’s a human thing.
Consider the encounter Moses had in Numbers 16 with Korah and about 250 prominent leaders Korah convinced to join him in his quest for more—in this case, more power and influence.
They came as a group and confronted Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” (16:1-3).
Moses initially dealt with this selfish power-grab with a humble, wise, and deft hand. He set them up to be judged by God (16:6-7), yet also asked them to reconsider their desires in light of God’s gracious dealings with them to this point: “Now listen, Levites! Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to Himself, to perform the work at the Lord’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them? He has brought you near, and all your fellow Levites who are with you, but you are seeking the priesthood as well. Therefore, it is you and all your followers who have conspired against the Lord! As for Aaron, who is he that you should complain about him?” (16:8-11).
Yet Korah and company rejected Moses’ plea. And so, before all of Israel, Korah and his family were buried alive by some sort of sinkhole, and his 250 cohorts (the bulk of leadership for the Israelites) were burned alive in a mighty display of God’s holiness and wrath (16:28-35).
Among the many lessons in this narrative, this one rings clear and true: selfish power-grabs that rob God of His glory and attack the ordained leaders of His people will not go unpunished. And leaders who are threatened by such should speak wisdom into them and allow God to deal with them accordingly.
Ah, the quest for more.
What’s driving you? Is it biblical?
Can you be content regardless of your circumstances (Phil. 4:10-14)?
Korah would want you to consider these questions.
Before it’s too late.
Rob Tims has been married to Holly for nearly 15 years. They have four children: Trey (10), Jonathan (9), Abby (1), and Luke (born April 10). He has served in the local church for 20 years as a children’s pastor, student pastor, and senior pastor. He currently serves on a team at Lifeway Christian Resources that develops customized Bible studies for groups and teaches two classes for Liberty University School of Divinity Online. He is the author of the book Southern Fried Faith: Confusing Christ and Culture in the Bible Belt.
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