the actions of a few often have consequences for many-1 Samuel 2

The Fair Gardener by Arthur Hughes

Eli, the high priest had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, that worked at the temple with him. Even though they were priests, they did sinful things. When people offered sacrifices at the tabernacle, the sons of Eli stole the meat of the sacrificial animals from God and the one that offered it 1 Samuel 2:12–17. Eli’s sons went even further in their horrific conduct, when they seduced women right there at the temple 1 Samuel 2:22.

If these sins only effected Eli’s sons, they would have been bad enough. But we know that the actions of a few often have consequences for many 1 Samuel 2:17, 24.

Eli’s sons were very selfish young men and honored themselves above the Lord. Everyone has heard stories or knows of people in positions of power that abuse their power to the detriment of those they are supposed to serve. But what is this story supposed to teach me about my actions? In what area of my life do I honor and please myself rather than the Lord? Do I seek out entertainment that I would feel comfortable sharing with Jesus, or would I blush if He entered the room? Do I keep the Sabbath day holy or let secular concerns crowd into my day? Am I chaste in my dealings with the opposite sex even in very thought? Am I modest in my dress? Do I treat all His children with dignity and love? Do I care for my body as if it is a temple or abuse it with gluttonous, careless behavior? Do I magnify my God given callings or shirk them when something else is more interesting? Perhaps sometimes we all choose to please ourselves rather than God.

The consequences of honoring ourselves more than God can reach far and wide. Our children and others can be swayed to follow un-godly paths by imitating our actions. We tear down His kingdom rather than build it up.We destroy the family. We halt our own eternal progression.

How can we put aside our selfish nature and put God first. In today's world, we are told time and again to put ourselves first. Clearly, the message of 1 Samuel 2 is the opposite of "MEism." One way is to devote a portion of each day to prayer and scripture readings. Another is to ask during those prayers each day what God would have us do to honor and serve Him that day. Another is to ask my grandmother's favorite question, What would Jesus Do? She's been asking this question for more than 80 years after reading In His Steps as a young girl, even though this is a recently resurrected catch phrase. After we answer this question, we should then go and do the things the Lord commands. He always provides a way. He wants us to obey. He wants us to be happy, which living to do His will always will accomplish.