1 Chronicles 2:7
“And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.”
Achan will forever be known at the “troubler of Israel.” What a terrible thing for which to be known. The sad part about this story is that, for the most part, Achan may have been a good man, but one action caused him to be known as the troubler. He may have been a good husband and father because we can see that his whole family was involved in this action with him, but because of one action we will never know. We will never know the good that Achan did because of the one action that troubled others.
Maybe we should ask the same question about ourselves. Will we be known as the troubler to our family, church and nation? Will we be the one who stirs up problems for others? All it takes is one action to be known as the troubler. As I look at Achan’s life, I see there were some things that caused him to be the troubler.
First, his disobedience caused him to be the troubler. Israel was told not to take anything, but Achan ignored God’s command. This act of disobedience caused a whole nation to be troubled. What you may think is not that big of a sin is always a big sin to God. Sin always troubles others. The fingers of sin reach deeper than one will ever understand, and one act of disobedience could cause you to forever be known as a troubler. Your sin will trouble those around you. When your sin starts troubling others, it doesn’t matter what you have done for them, they will forever remember you as the one who troubled their life. If you will obey all that God commands, then you will never be known as the troubler.
Second, his greed caused him to be the troubler. Achan saw the gold, silver and Babylonish garment, and wanted those things in his financial portfolio. That greed troubled a whole nation. Greed always troubles others because it takes from those who are without. One act of greed can cause you to lose everything you’ve financially laid aside. You must be careful not to let greed influence your financial decisions. When you get greedy and lose everything, the one thing for which you will be known is the troubler of those who went without because of your greedy actions. If you choose to make money by earning it, then you will find that your greed will never cause you to be known as the troubler.
Third, his coverup caused him to be known as the troubler. Achan tried to cover his sin and it caused over thirty men to lose their lives. You cannot cover sin and it not eventually come back to get you. You may get away with it for awhile, but when the coverup is revealed, you will be hated. Covering up sin only hurts people. The best way to deal with sin is to confess and forsake. I’ve yet to see an instance where covering sin is profitable. If you don’t want to be known as the troubler, then don’t allow yourself to be involved in a coverup.
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Your name is more important than riches and the favor of man. If you strive to have God’s favor, then you will never be known as the troubler. Be careful that you don’t let one act destroy the good you have done in your life. Always base every act upon whether it will cause you to be known as the troubler or as one who has a good name.