Luke 20:45-21:9

Luke 20:45-21:9 (NCV)
Jesus Accuses Some Leaders 45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his followers, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around wearing fancy clothes, and they love for people to greet them with respect in the marketplaces. They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues and at feasts. 47 But they cheat widows and steal their houses and then try to make themselves look good by saying long prayers. They will receive a greater punishment."
Chapter 21
True Giving 1 As Jesus looked up, he saw some rich people putting their gifts into the Temple money box. 2 Then he saw a poor widow putting two small copper coins into the box. 3 He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow gave more than all those rich people. 4 They gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had to live on."
The Temple Will Be Destroyed 5 Some people were talking about the Temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts offered to God.
But Jesus said, 6 "As for these things you are looking at, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another. Every stone will be thrown down." 7 They asked Jesus, "Teacher, when will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?" 8 Jesus said, "Be careful so you are not fooled. Many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the One’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don‘t follow them. 9 When you hear about wars and riots, don‘t be afraid, because these things must happen first, but the end will come later."
Devotion: The Leader‘s Trap
Every single one of us has been in leadership roles in life. It might be in your family as a parent or older sibling, at work as a supervisor, or in some office in a club. Everyone likes moments of leadership when people look up to us and see us as something special. The religious teachers in these first verses have what I call "The Big Head Syndrome." They have bought into their own self-importance and have become sucked into accolades and acclaim from others. Whether in the church or outside the church people can easily fall into these traps, pitfalls of hypocrisy. In the scripture Jesus talks about these religious leaders who loved to have people notice their clothes, position, power and religious knowledge. Now, you might be thinking, "Well, this is a passage for you Chris-you‘re a religious leader." And you would be right. But, it is also a passage for anyone in an area of leadership.
So, when you are in your leadership role ask yourselves these questions: Do you love to be seen in the right places? Do you dress for effect and to display your success? Do you engage in "name-dropping?"
Are you more motivated by serving or being noticed? Are you always trying to impress other people?
All of us have fallen into these traps and then we become blinded to the needs of others around us. Today, keep your public profession and inner attitude in check, in control. Avoid the limelight that often leads to hypocrisy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be less like the religious teachers and more like the poor widow. Instill within me a spirit of humility that reminds me this life is not about me, but about you and others. Give me the wisdom to realize that seeking your approval is more important than seeking the approval of people. I pray in Jesus name. Amen