Fame. Attention. Pride.

“Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.” These are the prescient observations of Roman historian, Tacitus, writing sometime around 100 AD. Tacitus drew this conclusion after studying the rich and powerful throughout Roman history.

In our time, we see how the drive for fame and power still can be addicting. We see this among politicians and entertainers, authors and athletes—even among Christians. It can be hard to be content with just a little power or just a little fame.

The Bible warns us how easily we can be infected by pride—by an all-consuming obsession with ourselves and our own desires and interests. We can pursue our own stature and recognition above all else.

We may not recognize it, but there is a price to be paid for this pride. In fact, the Bible warns that it leads to “destruction.”

The Bible warns us that those who trust in their own beauty can find themselves losing perspective, even playing “the harlot” because of their focus on themselves (Ezekiel 16:14-15). However, there also is a healthy kind of fame: fame that comes from God.

This kind of fame is the result of God’s favor and blessings. We’re told that David’s “fame spread everywhere, and the LORD caused all the nations to fear David” (1 Chronicles 14:17). This also happened to Solomon, as the queen of Sheba had heard of his fame, “which brought honor to the name of the LORD” (1 Kings 10:1).

God even can bring fame to non-believers in order to accomplish His purposes. This happened with Pharaoh, as God told him, “I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth” (Exodus 9:16 NLT).

In your life, seek to stay humble before God. Worship Him. Serve Him. And always give Him the glory for any favor or fame He has brought to your life.