Babel: An Ancient Sin Revisited

A sin during the ‘Tower of Babel’ incident was “let us make a name for ourselves” as this verse reveals:

“Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4)

This “same” sin of Babel (in principle) has taken ‘many new forms’ with men ‘claiming to be messiahs/prophets’ to ‘even doing charitable deeds’ (especially under the pretext of ‘financial prosperity’) by ‘doing it loud’ —> all for the ‘true’ reason of “let us make a name for ourselves”:

(i) ‘claiming to be messiahs/prophets’

(an identification key: they will deceive with ‘signs & wonders’ not ‘knowledge & wisdom’ —> some even call themselves as ‘gods’):

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:24)

(ii) ‘even doing charitable deeds’

It includes ‘within Christianity’ itself (‘apostles of Christ’?)

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:13 – 15)

(iii) ‘doing it loud’

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:1 – 4)

[There’s a difference between *people finding out by word of mouth* (not your announcement) –> ‘they see your good works & glorify the Father in heaven’ —> vs —> *announcing the deed & doing it loud*]

Note that their *reward in full* is what they have *received on earth itself* (be it in “financial prosperity”, which is often the reason for ‘why’ they do it in the first place or the “appreciation of men”) —> but “no” reward from the Father in heaven.

In conclusion, it’s clear that (i), (ii) & (iii) are done for the *intent* of “let us make a name for ourselves” —> in the direction of this (false) worldly quote which is ‘accepted & practiced’ by some (missing the ‘true’ Purpose of Life entirely, which is to “know the True God & Lord Jesus Christ whom He has sent”):

“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”

P/S:

(How many charity works one does –> sacrifice) pales in comparison with (How truthfully a charity work is done —> obedience, in accordance to His Most Holy Principles) for ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’:

“Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

“For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.” (Psalm 51:16)

Instead of a “common fallacy” (accepted) that ‘doing charity’ (a ‘sacrifice’) is better than ‘judging’ (‘Judgment’), the Bible actually teaches the “opposite” as this verse speaks:

“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3)

Lastly, be careful “how” and “who” you “judge” as the New Testament has three rules namely:

(1) Judgment begins with “Christians” who behave such

“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” – apostle Paul (1 Peter 4:17)

(2) Judgment is a ‘choice’; if you ‘judge’, be prepared for the ‘same judgment’ meted back to you (e.g. make sure you don’t practice those things that you judge against)

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:2)

(3) You are only allowed to ‘judge Christians’ but never a ‘non-Christian’ as it’s also written as follows:

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church (non-Christians)? Are you not to judge those inside (Christians only)?” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5:12)