Nicholas Fouquet was King Louis XIV’s finance minister. Fouquet loved money, among other things, and lived an extravagant lifestyle. When King Louis’ prime minister died in 1661, the king abolished the position of prime minister. This led Fouquet to believe his might be next. So he decided to win the king’s favor by throwing a lavish and elaborate party, attended by nobility from all over Europe. The party included a 7-course meal, music, dancing, and revelry of every kind, including a fireworks display. It was held at Fouquet’s chateau, which will inspire King Louis to build the palace of Versailles.
But the party had the exact opposite effect on King Louis, who was himself vain and arrogant. The day after the party, Fouquet was arrested and put on trial for stealing from France’s treasury (with most of that money going to King Louis!). Fouquet was found guilty and sentenced to prison for the last twenty years of his life.
You see, Fouquet’s party made King Louis feel insecure. He felt outdone by Fouquet and his party. In Fouquet’s place, Louis chose Jean-Baptiste Colbert who threw the most dull parties in France. While Fouquet thought his party was showing his loyalty to the king, the king instead interpreted it as Fouquet winning over the affections and loyalty of everyone present. Fouquet had inadvertently offended the pride of King Louis XIV.
In Luke 14:7, Jesus was at a banquet and He observed that the guests were picking out the places of honor at the table, closest to the host, the master of ceremonies. Jesus took the opportunity to teach a lesson in humility and service:
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (14:8-11).
Jesus’ point is this: if you wish to have honor, humble yourself.
Paul Holland
