The notoriety that can often times come with success can have a strange effect on relationships. It can change the one who is blessed with success but it can also change the people who knew the person before they became successful. When someone gains success, notoriety, or are honored among many, they are often told “not to forget where they came from”. This saying is meant to keep them grounded. It is meant to help them remember their humble beginnings and to not forget those they knew before their life situation changed so drastically. But what about their family, friends and neighbors? They can change too. Is there a saying for them? I would argue that there is. In John, chapter 4, verse 44, it says:
“(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country).”
Why would this be true? Why would someone, who is so honored by God, have no honor in his own country? I would argue that it is because when a person finds success, those who knew them before they became successful have a tendency to become jealous, indignant, or may have a hard time coming to terms with the idea of someone who used to be like them all of the sudden becoming a big shot. They may be struggling with the notion that someone they knew as “ordinary” is now being treated as someone “special”. Later, in John 6, verse 42 it says: “They said, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, who’s father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven?’” And it goes on to say in chapter 7, verse 5: “For even his own brothers did not believe him.” Jesus’ own brothers had a problem with who Jesus became. They had a difficult time accepting that the person they knew as a biological brother is now being heralded as a healer and a prophet; one who now claimed to be the Son of God. Why do I bring this up? Because if God blesses you through your ministry efforts with notoriety and success, don’t expect to find honor among those you’ve grown up with. I’m sure this isn’t always the case, but there is biblical evidence to support it.
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Imagine if your annoying little brother, or the bully down the street, or the underachieving kid at school would one day become a major figure in God’s plan for the world. How would that make you feel? How would you treat them? I would encourage you to treat them with the same honor as anyone you may consider a hero in the faith. I would encourage you to see them through God’s eyes, and to understand that God can, and often does, use those who we may not choose to do his work. King David dealt with these same kinds of reactions from his father, brothers and even Samuel initially. It is human nature to become indignant, jealous, or even bitter towards those whom God chooses to raise to a place of honor. If you struggle in this area, I encourage you to look beyond any selfishness or indignation that may well up within you and show honor for the one God chose for this task.