Paul Washer once remarked: “Why would we want fame, when God promises us glory? Why would we be seeking the wealth of the world when the wealth of heaven is ours? Why would we run for a crown that will perish with time, when we’re called to win a crown that is imperishable?”1 In this fascinating quote Paul Washer contrasts the fleeting nature of fame, earthly wealth, and a temporary crown with the lasting values of godly glory, heavenly wealth, and an imperishable eternal crown.
While we all understand that heavenly wealth is far more valuable than earthly wealth and that a perishable crown can’t compare with an imperishable one I would like to focus on the comparison between fame and glory in the remainder of this devotion.
I am sure that all of us at one time or another have dreamed of being famous. Being recognized by many people for our achievements is something that makes us feel special. But fame is fleeting and we can’t take it with us when we die to the other side of eternity. And not only that but fame appeals to our emotions which ebb and flow depending on the whims of what people think about us. The beautiful thing about being a Christian is that we can store up great treasures in heaven by simply being faithful in the little things that God has given us in this life. It is far better be known to God as a faithful servant than a famous one. Pastors may get the fame but those who are faithful get the glory of the Lord.
Glory is an amazing word and we can see how special it is by looking at a few Scripture verses. (Philippians 3:20-21) tells us: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” I love these verses because they tell me I will get a glorified body in heaven that will last for all of eternity.
(Romans 8:18) declares: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Here we see that the Apostle Paul compares suffering with the immense glory we will receive, I believe, now as well as forever in Christ.
And we also read in (Romans 8:30): “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” As Christians we know we are predestined, called, justified, and yes, glorified. Glorification is the ultimate phase of our Christian journey and the joy and excitement it brings puts earthly fame to shame.
But just what is this glory that will be revealed in us that we read in (Romans 8:18)? I believe it is that perfect state that we will experience for all of eternity by being in the presence of the Lord. Our glory will be so rich in joy and blessings that it will constantly fill our cups to overflowing. As Christians, no matter what trials and sufferings we go through in this life, let’s always rejoice for that special glory we will receive from our Savior!
1 Paul Washer Quote: “Why would we want fame, when God promises us glory? Why would we be seeking the wealth of the world when the wealth of h…” (quotefancy.com)
Fame, Glory, and the Corpse Called Ego (m.r.neveu)
A Reality Apologetic Essay on Discernment, Grace, and the Human Addiction to Being Seen.
Curt Blattman’s devotional, “Fame vs. Glory,” begins with a sharp contrast from Paul Washer: why chase fame when God promises glory? Why run after earthly wealth when heaven offers imperishable treasure? Why scramble for a crown that rots when Christ offers one that endures?
Curt’s central point is clean and useful. Fame flatters the ego, but glory belongs to God and is finally shared with the faithful in Christ. Better to be known by God as faithful than known by the crowd as impressive. That is the devotional’s golden artery. The rest needs a scalpel.
Because the real issue is not merely fame versus glory.
The real issue is discernment versus appetite.
What do we do with the part of us that wants TO Be God (not just make in image/likeness)?
Christianity’s answer is the most offensive and the most liberating. The self cannot be polished into holiness. It must be surrendered, crucified, remade, and filled by grace.
Numbas, Homie.
1. Discernment Begins When We Stop Calling Ego “Calling”. This is the paradox of grace. The will is not destroyed when surrendered to Christ. It is healed. Human freedom outside grace becomes appetite with legal permission. Human freedom inside grace becomes obedience with joy. The natural will says, “I want my way.” The redeemed will learns to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
That sentence is where ego goes to die. And thank God. Ego is a terrible god. Very demanding. Poor benefits package.
2. Other Religions Diagnose the Ego, But Christ Kills and Raises the Self.
Buddhism sees the craving self as a root of suffering. Desire, attachment, and the illusion of permanent selfhood trap human beings in dissatisfaction. The Christian hope is not escape from personhood. It is resurrected personhood. We are not saved by ceasing to be selves. We are saved by becoming selves rightly ordered toward God.
Hinduism: Ego as False Identity. Many Hindu traditions treat ego as a false identification with the temporary self rather than ultimate reality. Spiritual maturity involves seeing through the illusion of separateness and realizing deeper union with the divine reality.
But Christianity refuses to collapse Creator and creature. We do not become God by discovering we were divine all along. We are reconciled to God by grace because we were not God, never were God, and made a flaming mess whenever we tried to act like God.
Genesis 3 still has the receipts.
Christian glory is not self-divinization. It is participation by grace. “Those He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). The glory is given, not stolen. Shared, not seized.
Islam: Ego as Submission to God’s Will.
Islam rightly emphasizes submission to God. Human arrogance is confronted by obedience, discipline, prayer, fasting, and reverence. The ego is not permitted to strut unchallenged. That is morally serious, and modern therapeutic culture could stand to borrow a chair and listen quietly for once.
But Christianity moves deeper into union through Christ. The Christian is not merely a servant submitting to divine command, though we are certainly servants. We are adopted children, joined to Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and transformed from within (Romans 8:15–17).
Grace is not only pardon. Grace is participation in the life of Christ. The Christian does not simply bow before God’s will. The Christian is remade so that obedience becomes the fruit of love.
The Christian Difference: Free Will Must Become Eucharistic.
Here is the sharper edge. Christianity does not merely ask the will to choose better things. It asks the will to become an offering.
Fame Is a Mirror — Glory Is a Resurrection.
Curt’s devotional gives us clean contrasts. Fame fades, glory remains. But reality apologetics presses harder. Fame is not merely temporary. It is spiritually seductive because it imitates glory without requiring surrender. It offers visibility without holiness, applause without obedience, platform without crucifixion.
Other religions and philosophies often see part of the problem. Buddhism sees craving. Hinduism sees false identity. Islam sees arrogance before God. Stoicism sees emotional slavery. Each offers discipline, detachment, submission, or reason.
Christ offers death and resurrection.
That is why Christianity is not merely another wisdom system in the religious marketplace, as though God were running a booth between mindfulness and moral productivity.
Christianity says the ego is not confused, inconvenienced, or under-optimized. It has fallen.
And grace is not God’s polite encouragement. Grace is God’s holy invasion.
So, discernment begins when we stop asking, “Will this make me known?” and start asking, “Will this make Christ visible?” It matures when we stop seeking fame as proof of worth and receive grace as the death of vanity and the birth of glory.
The faithful may never be famous. Good. Fame is a rented costume. But the faithful will be glorified.
And glory is not applause.
Glory is what remains after the ego has been crucified and Christ is all that is left standing.
thanks Mr. Blattman.