Accepting of Favors
Reading: Genesis 22,23
My Verse: "And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, "But if you will hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there" (23:13).
This is an interesting passage. It echoes what happened in Genesis 14 where Abraham refused any favors from the kings that he had rescued. Abraham here insists on paying for the land even though he is offered it for free. What do I take away from this, LORD God? You after all had previously promised Abraham this land. "I will give this land to your posterity" ( Gen. 12:7). It seems that Abraham could have taken that promise at face value and viewed all the land as already his. But he doesn't do that. He acquires the land the proper way - according the the practices and laws of the people that lived there. He was in fact very insistent on doing it the proper and legal way. It is a good lesson for us today.
So many gladly accept something that is offered freely without thinking about the strings that are attached, because there are always strings(obligations) attached! Roman 13:8 says: "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
I Corinthians 4:1-2 says we are to be trustworthy in the way that we live out our lives before You! "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."
I like this passage about Abraham. I like how he dealt with his business affairs. He was a very wealthy man and so must have been quite shrewd in his business dealings, but from these two incidents one gets the impression that he dealt cleanly and precisely with those whom he had business dealings. He was also cognizant of the culture in which he lived. He made a point to understand what was expected of him.
Am trying to think how this applies to my daily life. Accepting favors is actually something I struggle with anyhow. I never like the feeling of obligation I get when someone else does something for me. I know that there are times when I should be willing to accept help, especially from a fellow Christian. On the other hand I like to be able to help others whenever I am able. It seems to be a dichotomy. But, LORD God, You are wise and You use people in our lives in many different ways.
Help me to be discerning. Help me to know when it is okay and when it is not okay to accept a favor. Even when it seems that I should be getting such a favor, I need to make sure all such transactions are done cleanly, honestly, and legally! I need to also be aware of the culture or traditions that are in play around me.
"Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me" (Psalm 5:8).
"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps" (NASB Prov. 16:9).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Genesis 22,23
My Verse: "And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, "But if you will hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there" (23:13).
This is an interesting passage. It echoes what happened in Genesis 14 where Abraham refused any favors from the kings that he had rescued. Abraham here insists on paying for the land even though he is offered it for free. What do I take away from this, LORD God? You after all had previously promised Abraham this land. "I will give this land to your posterity" ( Gen. 12:7). It seems that Abraham could have taken that promise at face value and viewed all the land as already his. But he doesn't do that. He acquires the land the proper way - according the the practices and laws of the people that lived there. He was in fact very insistent on doing it the proper and legal way. It is a good lesson for us today.
So many gladly accept something that is offered freely without thinking about the strings that are attached, because there are always strings(obligations) attached! Roman 13:8 says: "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
I Corinthians 4:1-2 says we are to be trustworthy in the way that we live out our lives before You! "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."
I like this passage about Abraham. I like how he dealt with his business affairs. He was a very wealthy man and so must have been quite shrewd in his business dealings, but from these two incidents one gets the impression that he dealt cleanly and precisely with those whom he had business dealings. He was also cognizant of the culture in which he lived. He made a point to understand what was expected of him.
Am trying to think how this applies to my daily life. Accepting favors is actually something I struggle with anyhow. I never like the feeling of obligation I get when someone else does something for me. I know that there are times when I should be willing to accept help, especially from a fellow Christian. On the other hand I like to be able to help others whenever I am able. It seems to be a dichotomy. But, LORD God, You are wise and You use people in our lives in many different ways.
Help me to be discerning. Help me to know when it is okay and when it is not okay to accept a favor. Even when it seems that I should be getting such a favor, I need to make sure all such transactions are done cleanly, honestly, and legally! I need to also be aware of the culture or traditions that are in play around me.
"Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me" (Psalm 5:8).
"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps" (NASB Prov. 16:9).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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