Power, sex, and wealth can become idols that prevent Christians, especially leaders, from finishing their faith journey well. All three idols prevent us from trusting in God and from honouring the people in our care. Moses, anticipating that the people might ask for a king one day, describes the characteristics of a good king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). He has much helpful advice for leaders today too.

First, a king ″must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself″ (v. 16). This was a sign of an aggressive foreign policy and of power. It would require the king to forge alliances with other nations, like Egypt, for military supplies (v. 16). Such alliances proved to be disastrous later in Israel's history and were condemned by the prophets (see Isaiah 31:1-3; Micah 5:10). The desire for more power could cause leaders today to use strategies that send them down the slippery slope of compromise.

Second, the king ″must not take many wives″ (Deuteronomy 17:17). Marriage was used as a tool of diplomacy in the ancient Near East. Though there were political advantages to such marriages, marriage alliances with unbelievers would cause the king to ″be led astray″ from God's ways (see the accounts of King Solomon and King Ahab in 1 Kings 11:3-4; 16:31). Today, promising Christian leaders could undermine their entire ministries by abusing their power and using others to fulfil their sinful sexual desires. They could also dilute their influence by marrying people who do not share their commitment to God and ministry.

Third, the king ″must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold″ (Deuteronomy 17:17). Such wealth was often acquired by taxing the people excessively. Trusting in wealth can be a hindrance to trusting in God. The desire for wealth often becomes an uncontrollable lust that consumes even those who, like kings, are already wealthy. Jesus taught that it is hard for the rich to enter God's kingdom (Luke 18:18-30).

To avoid the pitfalls of power, sex, and wealth, the king must ″write for himself on a scroll a copy of [the] law″ (Deuteronomy 17:18). The act of writing was a complicated task in those days, but it would help internalise God's Word. The king would then have the scroll ″to be with him″ for him to read ″all the days of his life″ (v. 19) so that he could further internalise God's Word.

The moral carelessness which comes with arrogance could make one ″turn from the law to the right or to the left″. Therefore, the king should ″not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites″ (v. 20). Leadership is a function of responsibility, not of status. Although the role of leaders comes with authority over others, their life is still one of a fellow pilgrim along a journey of learning and obeying the Word.

We may not all be leaders. But the cautions here against common pitfalls to our faith still apply to us. The Bible is our constant companion and guide (Psalm 119:9, 11). It drives us to humbly ″revere the Lord″ and ″follow carefully″ God's law and decrees (Deuteronomy 17:19). Let's stay close to God and His Word.