The Saddest Place on Earth

A number of years ago I visited Graceland. You know, the Elvis estate, land of all things Hound Dog and Blue Suede. The day was somewhat dreary, but even in the Jungle Room and Presley's elegant parlor, as colorful and opulent as they were, I couldn't help but feel a heaviness. I have always referred to his former home as The Saddest Place on Earth. Most people respond with incredulity when I say that, but I usually explain: Knowing the potential he had and the tragic ending he chose makes this preservation of his earthly rewards particularly dispiriting. This is the end of those who do not fear the Lord. At least, that's what came to me as I read this morning. In some strange way, the heaviness of Graceland has always remained with me. Someone mentions Elvis, someone talks about his beautiful renditions of hymns, and immediately I feel it. There are few places that have ever had such a negative impact on me. But as I was reading this morning, it dawned on me: this is the end of all those who do not fear the Lord.

In his book, The Fear of the Lord, John Bevere writes of Adam and Eve, their life in a perfect state and a close relationship with God we can, for now, only aspire to. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, servants of the Most High God, offering sacrifices on behalf of the people, wearing the holy garments of the priesthood. Annanias and Sapphira, early Christians who, presumably, had been given wealth and land with which to serve the Lord. And, of course, Lucifer himself who Isaiah called "son of the morning." These were exalted, glorified, chosen for some great purpose or another, given opportunity and privilege, and yet... 

Bevere says, Jim Bakker, former head of the PTL Club, television host, and convicted felon, once told him that not until he lost all of his material goods, his worldwide ministry, his family, and his reputation did he gain a true relationship with Jesus. Bevere quotes Bakker as saying, "John, this prison is not God's judgment on my life but His mercy. I believe if I had continued on the path I was on, I would have ended up in hell!" 
This is the end of all those who do not fear the Lord. Now, I am in no way saying you can't have wealth or health or wonderful relationships and fear the Lord. I am in no way saying those who prosper do not fear God. In fact, Luke 6:38 assures:

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

Give generously, and you will receive from God's generous hand. BUT what good are riches to a dying man? What good is perfect health to a woman who has lost all her children? The prosperity of the Kingdom of God is not necessarily the prosperity of our Western world. Does God bless some with money that they might bless the poor, the sick? I believe He does. Look at the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. It seems they made out very well in the sale of their property (as did Barnabas, Acts 4:36). But Ananias and his wife lied about the proceeds. When Peter calls out Ananias, he doesn't ask, "Why did you not give the entire amount?" He asks, "Why did you lie?" The profit was theirs to do with as they pleased; give it to the church, distribute it amongst the poor, will it to their children; go on the cruise they've been eying. 

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

They did not give in the name of the Lord, they did not keep in the name of the Lord; there was no fear of the Lord in them as they conducted this transaction. And there was no gratitude, only self-promotion. "Manufactured" extreme poverty is no more holy than the love of money; the blessing, the prosperity is in drawing more closely to our King, in knowing Him more intimately. Prosperity is being asked to do more with what we are given. Prosperity is a front row seat to God's work. Prosperity is seeing God's name exalted because we have promoted Him and not ourselves. 

And here we are, back at Graceland. I don't know the heart of Elvis any more than I know the heart of the person sitting across from me on the bus. But a tree is known by its fruit. There are stories of his generosity. There are stories from his childhood of a good boy who loved his mama and Jesus. He surely sang hymns beautifully. His home, his most personal space, however, stands as a tragic testimony to despair because of the events which occurred there; the chaos and recklessness, the rage and drug abuse, his death without dignity, and his apparent disregard for the holiness and mercy of a God to whom (rumor has it) he once spoke. 

Today would have been Elvis' birthday, so it's somewhat ironic that, as I was going through my Drafts folder, I found this article I'd started in 2024 and decided to complete it. I wasn't a huge Elvis fan (more like a fan of my mother who loved his movies and would watch them on Saturday afternoons); but The Saddest Place on Earth stands as a tangible warning to us all of the meaninglessness of earthly spoils versus the true prosperity found in the fear of the Lord.