Money Equals Power

Read 2 Kings 14:1–17:41

23Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, began to rule over Israel in the fifteenth year of King Amaziah’s reign in Judah. Jeroboam reigned in Samaria forty-one years. 24He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit. 25Jeroboam II recovered the territories of Israel between Lebo-hamath and the Dead Sea, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had promised through Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher. 26For the Lord saw the bitter suffering of everyone in Israel, and that there was no one in Israel, slave or free, to help them. 27And because the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel completely, he used Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, to save them.2 Kings 14:23-27

If you have enough money, you can go places, buy things, hire lawyers, and protect yourself in ways that others can’t. In our society, it seems as though money is power. In what ways have you seen this to be true? How has that been frustrating to you?

This reading continues the (mostly) sad story of the kings of Israel and Judah. Here the spotlight falls on Jeroboam II, who gets extremely rich. Success is his middle name. Yet in this passage, we see the pitfalls of money and power.

You will also notice these other cautions: the problem of overrating oneself; the difference it can make when leaders love and obey God; remaking God to suit our preferences; and discerning when imitation is not flattering.

Jeroboam II had no devotion to God, yet under his warlike policies and skillful administration, Israel enjoyed more national power and material prosperity than at any time since the days of Solomon (2 Kings 14:28). God’s prophets, Amos and Hosea, however, tell us what was really happening within the kingdom (see Hosea 13:4-8; Amos 6:11-14). Because Jeroboam’s administration ignored the policies of justice and fairness, the rich became richer and the poor, poorer. The people became self-centered, relying more on their power, security, and possessions than on God. The poor were so oppressed that they found it difficult to believe God cared about their plight.

Material prosperity is not always an indication of God’s blessing; it can also be a result of self-centeredness. If you are experiencing prosperity, remember that God holds you accountable for how you attain success and how you use your wealth. Everything you have belongs to him. Use God’s gifts with his interests in mind.

©Tari Esther Opute