Do you desire to appear before the great? Why?
• Pro 18:16 -> “A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.”.
Many people crave for this. Nonetheless, who are these people? As James said:
• Jas 2:3-6 -> “And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?”.
It is truth that many servants of the Creator served some heathen leaders (for instance, Daniel, Hadassah, Mordecai, Nehemiah, Ezra, etc.). Nonetheless, they were obliged to do this. Certainly, they would preferred to be close to those who were great before the Creator.
This makes all difference. After all, if nobody could appear before the Creator with empty hands (Exodus 23:15; 34:20; Deut 16:16), therefore nobody can appear empty before anybody (especially considering the importance of the gift):
• Pro 17:8 -> “A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.”.
• Pro 19:6 -> “Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.”.
Of course, it is necessary to strain in order to get good gifts. So, if the person to whom we wish to please is worldly, they will demand of us earthly things, whose acquisition can wear us out.
On the other hand, if the people are firm in Christ, they will demand of us holiness, purity, consecration, as well as our prayers. That is to say, although they can have material needs, they know that it is in Christ that they will be supplied (Mat 6:33; Eph 3:20; Phil 4:19).
Moreover, if you, for some reason, is conducted to the presence of those who are great in this world, don’t try to be close of them in order to get profits, but to glorify the Creator. The truth is that the sensation of power can induce us to occupy the place of the Creator as the right judge (trying to make justice with our own hands, judging only by appearance – ponder on John 7:24; 8:15).
So, have a good day increasing in all spiritual greatness.
• Pro 18:16 -> “A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.”.
Many people crave for this. Nonetheless, who are these people? As James said:
• Jas 2:3-6 -> “And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?”.
It is truth that many servants of the Creator served some heathen leaders (for instance, Daniel, Hadassah, Mordecai, Nehemiah, Ezra, etc.). Nonetheless, they were obliged to do this. Certainly, they would preferred to be close to those who were great before the Creator.
This makes all difference. After all, if nobody could appear before the Creator with empty hands (Exodus 23:15; 34:20; Deut 16:16), therefore nobody can appear empty before anybody (especially considering the importance of the gift):
• Pro 17:8 -> “A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.”.
• Pro 19:6 -> “Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.”.
Of course, it is necessary to strain in order to get good gifts. So, if the person to whom we wish to please is worldly, they will demand of us earthly things, whose acquisition can wear us out.
On the other hand, if the people are firm in Christ, they will demand of us holiness, purity, consecration, as well as our prayers. That is to say, although they can have material needs, they know that it is in Christ that they will be supplied (Mat 6:33; Eph 3:20; Phil 4:19).
Moreover, if you, for some reason, is conducted to the presence of those who are great in this world, don’t try to be close of them in order to get profits, but to glorify the Creator. The truth is that the sensation of power can induce us to occupy the place of the Creator as the right judge (trying to make justice with our own hands, judging only by appearance – ponder on John 7:24; 8:15).
So, have a good day increasing in all spiritual greatness.