Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
A gift or present is different from a bribe and should be
received with thanksgiving especially when God leads people to bless you with
gifts. A number of Kings as well as other prominent people in the Bible
received financial and material gifts from the people God made them to interact
with. These gifts translated into personal wealth for them. The Apostle Paul
commended the Church in Philippi for supporting him financially. Please read
Philippians Chapter 4 verses 10 to 19, Galatians Chapter 6 verse 6 and 1st
Corinthians Chapter 9 verses 1 to 27.
Quite significant and instructive is the fact that Jesus
Christ received gifts from people who supported his earthly ministry. Please
read Luke Chapter 8 verses 1 to 3. However, He did not demand the gifts. The
people willingly brought the gifts. This implies that the people God sends to
bless you with gifts usually do so without compulsion. They simply respond to
the promptings of God to bless whoever God leads them to.
The prophet Elisha also received gifts. Please read 2nd
Kings Chapter 4 verses 42 to 44 but when it was inappropriate to receive gifts,
he declined to accept the gifts as exemplified in the case of Naaman. Beloved,
this implies that not all gifts should be accepted especially when God says not
to accept such gifts. There are times for receiving gifts and times for
rejecting gifts. Please read 2nd Kings Chapter 5 and Genesis Chapter
14 verses 1 to 24. God by His Spirit always guides His children into receiving
and rejecting gifts since He knows all things.
A good number of the wealthy people in the Bible received
presents and gifts from people, Kings and Queens which they translated into
personal wealth. Kings Solomon, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah are some examples. So
also is Abraham. Additionally, they earned income from other activities. They
did not rely on the gifts alone. King Solomon traded. Please read 1st
Kings Chapters 10 verses 21 to 29, 9 verses 26 to 28.
King Jehoshaphat enjoyed the Presence of God as well as
abundant blessings from God. He was wealthy and his people had great peace
during his reign. However, it is significant to note that the greatest asset of
Jehoshaphat was that he feared God and served God all the days of his life.
Please read 2nd Chronicles Chapter 17 verses 3 to 5. Because
Jehoshaphat feared and served God, God blessed him with great wealth. How? God
established the nation in his hand; that is to say that Jehoshaphat was in firm
control of the nation.
The Bible also records that all Judah gave presents to
Jehoshaphat and these presents translated into personal wealth for him so that
he had riches and honor in abundance. Though the nature of the presents is not
stated, it is significant to note that the presents translated into personal
wealth for Jehoshaphat.
Additionally, the Bible also records in verses 10 to 11 of 2nd
Chronicles Chapter 17 that the fear of God came upon the nations around Judah
and they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. Rather, they brought gifts to
Jehoshaphat. The Philistines brought presents, silver as tribute while the
Arabians brought flocks in large numbers, specifically seven thousand and seven
hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats. The gifts were
quite a number because the Bible also records that Jehoshaphat had much
property in the cities of Judah so much so that he gave great gifts of silver
and gold, and precious things as well as fortified cities in Judah to six of
his sons; excluding the heir, Jehoram who inherited the throne and the kingdom.
Jehoshaphat was truly wealthy but that is because he feared God and served God
all the days of his life.
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