After Balaam had the conversation with the donkey, he went on to meet with Balak, king of Moab. Balak was a little put out that Balaam had taken so long to come to him. He scolded Balaam for the delay and said, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?" (Numbers 22:37 NIV)
Balaam's response to Balak was better than his response to his donkey and the Lord. Essentially, Balaam said, "I'm not for hire." God told Balaam to only speak the words he gave him. No matter the reward or threats, Balaam could only speak God's words.
I can't speak for all preachers, only for this one. Unless I stay focused on the Lord and his word, I can be tempted to say what others want to hear. Paul warned Timothy of preachers who would say anything to please itching ears.
Today we have men and women proclaiming the word of God but with tactical omissions and twists so as not to offend anyone. Whether they are trying to build a religious empire or just stay in the good graces of their listeners, they preach something that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are telling Balak what he wants to hear.
For all the ridicule Balaam gets for missing the Lord when the Lord was standing right in front of him waving a sword, Balaam gets kudos for this. He would go on to speak four oracles to Balak on behalf of the Lord that clearly were not what the king wanted to hear.
Every Christian - not just the preachers and ministers - is called by God to speak his word into this world.
Don't get distracted.
Don't water down the message.
Don't change the gospel.
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