Perspective from the 19^th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

A few weeks ago, in a “Links” Bible Study at the golf club where I play in La Quinta, California, the leader caught my attention with a description of this:

Examples of what the world counts as valuable in contrast to what the Bible asks Christians to count as valuable.

He mentioned three examples:  Status, wealth and power. 

So struck by these contrasts on this Memorial Day, I have gone a bit deeper by verifying what the Bible says about them.  Here is a summary according to the greatest book ever written, the Bible.

Status:  The world wants status and counts it as valuable.

But the Bible says status doesn’t matter.  It views status through the lens of contentment, spiritual focus, and humility, encouraging believers to avoid comparing their lives with others.  It warns that envy and comparison produce discontent, while contentment and faithfulness bring true fulfillment, regardless of worldly circumstances. 

The Bible states that godly contentment is great gain, urging individuals to be satisfied with their current situation, such as is found 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Philippians 4:11-12.  Comparing yourself to others is described as a trap that steals joy.

Wealth:  The world wants wealth and counts it as valuable.

But the Bible presents a good reputation, integrity, and godly wisdom as the primary objectives instead of the pursuit of financial wealth.  Proverbs 22:1 states that a “good name” is more desirable than riches, emphasizing character over money.  Other key contrasts include spiritual contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) and eternal life (Mark 10:25). 

Power:  The world wants power and counts it as valuable.

The Bible advises against seeking power through selfish ambition, coercion, or unethical means, urging humility and stewardship instead.  It warns that pursuing power often stems from sinful greed, harms the vulnerable, and ultimately leads to destruction.  It advises believers to trust in God’s sovereignty rather than manipulating circumstances for authority.  And, it warns against promoting oneself (2 Timothy 3:5), advising that true greatness comes from serving others rather than ruling over them.

Tough to achieve these Biblical injunctions?  Yes, on our own it is not just tough; it is impossible.

So, the Apostle Paul conveys the proper method when he writes in 2^nd  Corinthians, as follows:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

So, I say, rely on God’s power to demonstrate the Biblical views of status, wealth, and power.