Power, Pleasure, Fame and Money

         

 

                                                                                                                                

I remember talking to him only once.  He was a stately man in the twilight of his life when I became aware of his wisdom. He had served as an elder at the church where I attended all my nineteen years of life, but as a young boy I had taken no interest in him whatsoever. But here I was moving into adulthood and suddenly I started to take notice of the spirit and scholarship of Mr. Frank L. Cox.

One day I, in my early twenties, read an article he had written for the church bulletin, an overview of the book of Ecclesiastes. I was drawn to how he summarized the content of the book in such a concise and meaningful way. At the time, I was unaware that Mr. Cox was not only a prolific author but also had been an outstanding restoration preacher of the gospel in the state of Texas. 

After reading the article, I had the unusual opportunity to talk to Mr. Cox one Sunday about his short but powerful summary of this book of wisdom.  Conversing with him felt like I was talking to an Old Testament prophet or character like Elijah or Moses. What an experience! Introducing myself, I thanked him for his article and asked him to elaborate further upon his summary of the book, written by the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon.

He got right to the point. He began by saying this: man typically pursues one or all of four main things in his life--pleasure, power, money, and/or fame. He emphasized that Solomon, who had unlimited funds and position, was in high pursuit of all four of these, yet he never achieved the satisfaction he sought. Solomon awoke to the fact that all of his efforts resulted only in a state of vanity or futility. So after a lifetime of pursuits, accomplishments, and failures, Solomon concluded, "For let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter--fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Such a simple but powerful assessment of a book about life.

Although my moment with Frank Cox was brief, his article and our conversation have gone with me for a lifetime. The message is so powerful in the arena of leadership. How many people who aspire to be leaders fall prey to the quest for power, money, fame, or pleasure? Consider politicians who are trying to create a legacy of fame or the establishment of power. How many are tempted to engage in the quest for financial advancement or pleasurable events? 

These struggles occur not only with political leaders but with mankind in general. So I ask my own self: what am I seeking? What does my life look like? Frank L. Cox, who lived for eighty-two plus years (he died in 1978), had come to the same conclusion about life that Solomon had. Great leaders are not about power, fame, pleasure, and/or money. Their focus is on their Creator and their fellow man. They are about respecting and loving God and keeping his commandments, and in addition--loving their neighbors as themselves. 

I am so thankful that I had the privilege of meeting this wonderful man if only for a moment. His simple assessment of a valuable book in the Bible and his example of success and leadership are so profound and relevant for any season of life. I am reminded of another great leader who was described by Paul (in Philippians 2) as a humble, obedient servant--Jesus Christ.

You know that I often say--maybe it is time for us to take inventory of ourselves. It's so true--especially in view of the fact that "God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Ecc. 12:14). This self-inventory will help us to begin with the end in mind.

 Great leaders do not fall prey to the four temptations--power, pleasure, fame, money. Rather, their focus is on helping those they lead. How we need great leaders who fit this description! I'm grateful to Mr. Cox for pointing toward such a simple yet powerful lesson of life from the book of Ecclesiastes.

Remember, I believe we are all leaders regardless of our position.