Paying the Piper

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a classic tale from the Middle Ages that teaches several moral lessons. In a recent Bible study, my teacher compared the way the Piper lured the children away with his pipe to how Satan attempts to lure us away with lies and temptations. As I thought about that point, the Lord revealed something else about that story. While the Piper seeking revenge isn't good, equally bad is the villagers not keeping their word. 

If you're not familiar with the story, the town of Hamelin was overrun with rats. They hire the Piper to exterminate them. He does, but once he's done, the town doesn't want to pay him the agreed price. The Piper decides to exact his own fee and uses his magic pipe to lure away the town's children, just as he had used it to lure the rats out of the town. 

As believers, we are to walk in righteousness and holiness. Resisting the devil is important, but so is doing what is right. Doing what is right is actually a way to resist the devil, as well as our flesh. It's important to ask why we choose to do what is wrong. On the macro level, it's because we were born with a sin nature. Jesus has provided the solution for that through death and resurrection. Once we are born again, we have the ability to choose what is right in accordance with the new nature we have received through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16-19). So on the micro level, we tend to make choices in alignment with our immediate comfort or gratification, without considering their consequences. All choices have a consequence - some we like, some we dislike. Regardless of whether we like them or not, our actions will have an effect on our lives and the lives of others. 

Choosing to do right has the consequence of righteousness. Matthew 6:33-34 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus teaches us that seeking the righteousness of God will result in our needs being met (all these things will be added to you). And since our needs will be met as we seek God, we don't have to be anxious about going without. If you think back to times when you chose wrongly, you may be able to connect it back to a fear of missing out or having to go without something. 

Going back to the people of Hamelin, they had a need, but they didn't consider the cost of their choice of hiring the Piper. They chose the immediate gratification of keeping their money instead of keeping their word. Their lack of consideration of the consequences led them to lose their children, something of infinite more value than gold. 

Seeking righteousness isn't always easy. It may result in delayed gratification, missing out on something, or being uncomfortable. But God promises that everything you need will be added unto you when you do. You never have to worry about “paying the Piper” when you choose to do what is right.