The Me-First Mentality

Self-Preservation
By Dr. John C. Maxwell
(Part 1 of 2; continuing tomorrow)

The most recognizable symbols of Ancient Egypt - the mummy and the pyramid - were elaborate attempts at self-preservation. The Egyptian pharaohs believed their spirits would remain inside their bodies after death to embark on a journey into the afterlife. On account of this belief, the pharaohs spared no expense to ensure their bodies would transition securely and comfortably into the hereafter. It was not uncommon for a pharaoh to begin drawing up plans for his pyramid as the first order of business after ascending to the throne.

Generations of Egyptians were forced into decades of backbreaking labor to build pyramids so that the deceased body of one pharaoh would be pampered in the afterlife. To construct a pyramid, stones averaging 2.5 tons had to be hewn out of rock quarries by laborers with primitive tools, hauled across the desert, and carried up ramps to be set into place. Archeologists estimate the Pyramids at Giza took between 20,000 and 30,000 workers about 80 years to build!

The primary purpose of the extravagant pyramids was to protect the pharaoh's body, which itself was mummified for maximum preservation. A team of embalmers spent 70 days performing a variety of activities to prepare a pharaoh's body for burial. When they had finally finished, the mummy was laid to rest in an ornate coffin and placed inside of the pyramid.

The pharaohs exhausted staggering amounts of their kingdom's wealth and work force to preserve themselves. The exorbitant expenditures left many Egyptians in poverty and robbed the economy of essential funds. By frittering away national resources on self-preservation, the pharaohs likely accelerated the deterioration of their mighty kingdom.(Part 2 continuing tomorrow)