Faith may not be the first characteristic that you think about when considering Moses, but he was definitely a man of great faith.  As such, he serves as a great example for us to follow.  Consider the words of the Hebrews writer.

Hebrews 11:24–26 (ESV)
²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  ²⁶ He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

We have seen how true saving faith leads to righteous living, trusting God, obedience in all things, and the willingness to sacrifice even the most precious things to us.  Finally, we see, by the example of Moses, that proper faith results in one being spiritually-minded.

The carnal-minded man would never make the choice that Moses made.  In refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he was walking away from significant wealth.  Can you imagine the privilege that would go along with being the son of Pharoah’s daughter?  Moses would have had access to the finest things that life had to offer, that is, from a material standpoint, but he gave that up to be mistreated with the people of God.  No materialistic person would ever do such a thing.

Think about the terrible things people have done just to hang on to wealth and status.  Spouses have murdered spouses simply to get around prenuptial agreements.  Siblings have murdered siblings to get more of an inheritance.  It is mind-boggling to think of how obsessed some people are with money and the things that money will buy, or just having a high status in life.

The Bible tells of a time when Jesus healed a man blind from birth.  One would think that the parents of the man would have been overwhelmed with joy and have great appreciation toward Jesus for what He had done for their son.  Instead, they would not even acknowledge what he had done.  When asked by Jewish authorities about the situation, this was their response.

John 9:18–21 (ESV)
¹⁸ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight ¹⁹ and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”  ²⁰ His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.  ²¹ But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”

This would be a terrible response even if it were true.  They showed no joy at what had transpired with their son at all.  The truth is, however, the rest of the passage gives us the real reason they did not acknowledge Jesus.  Listen to it.

John 9:22–23 (ESV)
²² (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) ²³ Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

Having social acceptance and access to the synagogue was more important to them and their carnal minds than giving honor to the one who had healed their son.  What a contrast between them and Moses.  Moses had power and prestige as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, but he walked away from it to be with the people of God.  He did not care about the fleeting pleasures of sin or the treasures of Egypt because he was looking to the reward of eternal glory with the invisible God (ver. 27).

Do we have the faith of Moses—a faith that leads us to see more value in the riches of Christ than the material riches that the world offers?  If so, it is a strong indication that we have the saving faith necessary to make it to heaven.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.