Feeding the Beast
Long ago in the land of Persia a group of governors and satraps thronged before King Darius saying: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.” The men lobbying for this legislation were trying to find a way to bring Daniel into disrepute with the king, but what would make King Darius, a friend of Daniel, sign on? Why would this statute appeal to him?
Daniel does not tell us the heart of Darius in this matter, but I have a theory. There is a breed of man who loves to be depended upon, to be looked to for help. He wants people to think of him as a provider and he enjoys the power that comes with provision. Darius liked the idea of people looking to him for all their needs. He could be like a god that gives according to his riches in glory. Darius thought that as a providential lord with no competitors for 30 days, people would get in the habit of looking to him. Dreaming of all the power of Persia focused in his hands as the dispenser of earthly blessings, Darius signed the royal statute.
Now you might think the cost of being the sugar daddy of the Persian Empire would deter Darius from such a plan, but Darius could do this at no personal expense. He could tax the people to pay the bill. He could take their money, skim some for himself, answer their petitions, and get glory as their great benefactor. What an ingenious plan! He gives the gifts, gets the glory, and the people pay the bill.
Today, men and women like Darius still dream of a state that provides for all the needs of the people. They want the people to cry out to the state for deliverance, to petition them to provide a better education for their children and to provide their healthcare needs. These modern disciples of Darius want us to believe the state loves us and offers a wonderful plan for our lives. So we will look to them and no other god or man for all our desires.
The people of God must understand the true nature of an all-providing state. It is a beast that devours those who feed it. Every time you look to the state for provision, you yield more power and wealth to it. You relinquish another part of your life into its hands, feeding a monster that threatens your life, liberty, and property. If you look to the state to provide anything more than civil justice, you forge a chain that binds you and your children to this devouring beast.
Moreover, this beast is a lousy god that can only give to the people what it first takes from them. The demagogues say they tax the rich and the commoners benefit, but do not be deceived. In the end that tax is passed on to all of us. The beast must plunder the people for its power.
In contrast, the true God gives. He is One to whom nothing can be given, except that which He has first supplied. So when the satraps tell you to petition Darius for your needs, go into your upper room and petition the King of heaven, who truly can provide all your needs according to His riches in glory.