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Jude 1:11
“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

In the Bible, there’s a man named Balaam who’s like a cautionary tale, a lesson for us to learn from. This article talks about him and how his story relates to our lives today.

Balaam can be compared to Cain in the Bible in Jude 1:11. Cain is like those people who think they can save themselves by their own efforts, not needing the help of the Lord Jesus’ blood. Balaam, on the other hand, is a real prophet who can bless and curse. He is sought after by kings, telling us that he’s not a fake prophet.

THE WORRIED KING BALAK

It started in Numbers 22, King Balak is worried that the Israelites traveling in the wilderness, will use up all the food in the land, so he seeks Balaam’s help. This introduces the idea of scarcity, not having enough resources. Balaam, with his ability to bless and curse, becomes a pawn in the struggle between the will of God and the desire for money.

YOU CANNOT CURSE THOSE WHO ARE BLESSED

Even though God tells Balaam not to curse the Israelites, Balaam’s desire for money in Numbers 22:19 is stronger. This warns us not to follow people who chase after money instead of obeying God. This same idea comes up in 2 Peter 2:14-15, where ministers are compared to Balaam, driven by greed and compromising their calling for power and money.

2 Pet. 2 14-15 “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.”

BEWARE OF MATERIALISM AND THE LOVE OF THIS PRESENT WORLD

Other stories from the Bible, like Abraham refusing spoils from the King of Sodom, Elisha saying no to Naaman’s gifts, and the early Church not taking tithes from the believers, emphasize the right approach. They show that material wealth isn’t the most important thing.

The central message throughout these stories is a reminder that believers belong to heaven and have spiritual riches. Instead of getting too obsessed with material things, true prosperity comes from recognizing and cherishing spiritual wealth. Jonah’s story in the Bible shows us how sometimes we get so focused on temporary comfort that we forget about the more important things, like repentance.

CHRIST IS ENOUGH FOR US

Heb. 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Hebrews 13:5 tells believers not to spend all their energy trying to get material things because having Christ is enough. This challenges the idea that success and prosperity only come from having a lot of stuff. The article stresses that possessing Christ is the true wealth, having everything needed for life, both now and in the future.

Balaam’s story reaches a turning point in Numbers 22.20-22, where God tells him not to go, but allows him to make his own choice, leading to his own destruction. This shows that when personal desires take over and we ignore God’s guidance, there are serious consequences.

Balaam then faced the consequences of his actions in Numbers 22:31-32. It warns against applying the idea of getting more material blessings to the true Church of Christ, whose Kingdom is not about earthly wealth. Believers don’t really belong to the Earthly Kingdom, and their true wealth is in the spiritual realm.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the story of Balaam is a timeless lesson about the dangers of putting material gain before spiritual obedience. It encourages believers to think about their motives, resist the pull of materialism, and value the lasting worth of spiritual riches that go beyond the temporary things of this world.