Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel (Phil 1:12-13).
Have you ever heard these statements: "Money talks." Or how about this: "He who has the gold, rules." Both of these statements have truth in them.When Jesus was crucified there was a question as to where Jesus would be buried. Those that hurried him to the cross, designed that he should make his grave with the wicked; but God designed he should make it with the rich (Isa 53:9), and so he did.
In order for Jesus to be buried with honour, a man of influence was permitted to take the body of Jesus. His name was Joseph of Arimathea. It seems this man had a personal relationship with Pilate. He was a man of influence and owned a burial cave that was reserved for the rich.
Joseph of Arimathea was called an honourable counsellor, a person of character and distinction, and in an office of public trust; some think in the state, and that he was one of Pilate's privy council; his post rather seems to have been in the church, he was one of the great Sanhedrim of the Jews, or one of the high priest's council.[1]
The Bible says that He desires His people to be the head, not the tail. If we are to influence the culture, there must be men and women of influence in whom God uses to impact the culture. If you are successful person, consider the words of Paul when he said, "…what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." Although Paul was referencing adversity in this statement, it can be equally said that each of us needs to ask if our prosperity has served to advance the gospel.
Are you using your influence to impact your workplace, city, or even nation for the sake of the gospel?
[1] (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
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