(Jude 1:11) “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”
Cain: The sacrifice of works rather than the sacrifice of blood.
Balaam: Seeking to become rich in the doing of God’s work.
Core: Pushing himself to usurp the place of God’s appointed leaders.
Cain and Abel both brought sacrifices to God but God preferred Abel’s offering over Cain’s. Cain killed Abel in a fit of jealousy; Why? Perhaps he thought his offering should have been more valuable. He put more labor in growing crops than raising animals. He had to plow, sow, reap, transport his produce whereas all Abel had to do was watch his sheep feed themselves and self-reproduce. Are we in a figure murdering each other for jealousy over the gifts of another?
Balaam sought riches in the doing of God's work. We shouldn’t seek reward for doing what is normally expected of us. We should do God's work because it is right. We should do God's work for God's profit, not our own. What are our real reasons for what we do in the church?
Core (and Dathan and Abiram) attempted to take the place of the ones God had already appointed for leadership: Moses and Aaron. God positions the ones he wants to be leaders in the church. We should seek a church position to benefit God's work, not for self status. Are we seeking a position within the church body for the sake of our status?
We are supposed to rebuke these self-seekers in the Church: how much does rebuking really happen in the church of today?
