Sometime ago, a notorious kidnapper was arrested. He's been on the watchlist of the cops for years but they got him after several attempts.
During the time of his arrest, one of the truths that emerged was that he checked his victims on social media. What people display on their social media handles is one of the determinants of whom he will kidnap. Those who flaunt wealth on social media were his targets.
In a world where people flaunt their wealth, fleet of cars, wardrobe, trinkets and houses, God is telling us not to imitate them because our lives must be quiet.
You must understand that everyone out there is not happy with your progress. Flaunting your breakthrough on social media will attract more enemies than friends. It can also makes you a target of evil men. It has been like that from bible days even when there was no social media.
In 2 Kings 20:13, Hezekiah showed the Babylonian envoys all the treasures in his palace without omitting one. God sent Isaiah to tell him that what he did was foolish and that a day will come when everything he showed them will be carried away. In 2 Kings 24:13, It happened exactly as prophesied.
Everyone does not deserve to know what you have and what you worth. The life of a believer must not be showy neither are we to live for the optics. It is not a sign of wisdom. Some unbelievers know this and they have peace how much more those that have the Holy Spirit.
Can God be doing great things in your life without displaying it for all to see? You need some maturity to know what and what not to divulge to the public about your life. If your fingers are quick to post eveything about you on social media, you'll be a victim of damaging public opinion.
Sometimes, I think one of the reasons the church is under heavy social media attack is because of the things we put out there for people to see. We are not quiet about the things we should be quiet on. In some climes, the showy church will be under government investigation from time to time.
I see no reason why churches should display the jet carrying a guest preacher, the convoy waiting to pick him at the airport, the hotel where he'll lodge, the entourage waiting to receive him and all that. We are acting like Hezekiah who displayed all to the Babylonians. I pray they don't come for us.
As an aside, the negative impact of that unnecessary display among young and upcoming ministers is inimical to their understanding of ministry. Some will think ministry is all about glamour whereas there is more to it.
God has given us wealth and riches to enjoy and for his glory yet our lives should be marked by quietness&moderation in a world where people flaunt it.