A bribe

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

A BRIBE

Prov 18:16

16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

NIV

This seems to be somewhat of a strange saying. We are not sure if this gift could be seen as simply a gift or a bribe. It would seem within the context of making way for the one who offers a bribe to get into a place they are not qualified to be, the gift would then be seen as a bribe. This is surely the way of the world and should have nothing to do with the community of faith. We are certain there is no way we can enter the presence of God with a bribe. Surely the gift of our heart makes way for us into his presence, as we surrender it to him. But Solomon is not speaking about the gift of self to God and the reward of eternal life. This is speaking to getting ahead in life by crooked means. Men offer favors in order to gain entrance to having their way in a situation. We accept this is the way some business or political people operate. It would seem both Wall Street and Washington are filled with this type of behavior. But are we, within the community of faith, guilty at all of this? Do we use gifts, or bribes in a sense, to get us ushered into the presence of the great. What would that look like? Maybe we might think because we give large sums of money on either tithes or offering we should then be in some important position in church. It might have nothing to do with our qualifications because of being gifted by God. Maybe we think because of our worldly qualifications we should gain entrance to that important position in church. The truth is the world system does not work in the kingdom of God. No amount of money or education, skill or talent brings a person any position in the body of Christ. We are all gifted by God for his purpose. He puts us in the place within the body best suited for his plan for both us and the rest of the body. Can the ear tell the hand it is more important? Can the hand tell the eye it is better? But it seems many churches, many pastors are influence by the giver of bribes. They are pampered, or catered to because of their large giving. This should not be. We must live as equals in the assembly of the righteous. All gifted by God for his purpose is the only way it should be. Let us live, not in the way of the world, looking to enter into greatness, but in the way of Christ, looking to be a servant to those we live with.