Reproach and/or Riches
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.
Hebrews 11:26.
Moses had to choose one of two kinds of wealth, the reproach of Christ or the treasures of Egypt. He esteemed the first to be the greater riches and so laid up treasure in heaven.
He chose the imperishable, “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” He saw the invisible: “He endured as seeing him who is invisible”; He did the impossible: “By faith they passed through the Red Sea.”
Moses got off to a good start in his parentage. This same account tells us (v. 23) that his parents hid him when he was a baby and that “they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” We read later that Moses forsook Egypt, “not fearing the wrath of the king.” Like parents, like son!
Moses’ choice was reproach and/or riches. It is a matter of whether one wants to get rich or be rich. We can be rich in Christ Jesus or perhaps get rich in Egypt, but we cannot do both. It is never “Christ and…” It is always “Christ or…” We cannot serve God and mammon.