Proverbs 18:16 RA The Gift

What this episode covers

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. The Gift / R Aylor What might you have to present before the king of an empire? A mans gift could be many things, but surly it must be something fantastic. A gift of gold will likely get you into his presence… What can you offer the king that he might like or enjoy? It could be that you are an excellent player of the lute… maybe you can juggle… To learn all these things took work, right?… sweat and practice… even with the gold… you had to mine the ores for years to get that much gold. Or you had to work hard earning that gold for a long time… And what if the lute player was a beginner… or just played so so?… would they be worthy to play for the king? No of course not. However, if you took lessons and practiced until your fingers bled and you finally developed calluses until the day you became an expert. Then you would be worthy to give your gift of performance to the king. My Mother told me that her Grandfather who’s name was Solomon played his violin before the king of Sweden. He must have been a great player for that to happen. For some reason as I consider working hard for something or practice and learning musical skills I am also thinking of working hard to get a good education…. In years past many who were able to provide education for their children did so with hopes that they might possibly stand before a king or at least make a difference in an assembly of great men. Doctors, Lawyers, Statesmen… I think of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence… There were areas within time and geography where the culture promoted the passion for parents to intentionally provide good education for their children… and not just for their betterment but for the good of society for the kingdom of Gods sake. Even many who were not well off… their parents worked hard to be able… that was one of the great purposes parents felt was their duty… And so many of the children longed for it… Many a believer of various economic background studied from a young age Greek, Latin, French and other languages… along with history, music, the arts and mathematics not with apathy or just to get a passing grade but with purpose that their lives might fulfill a purpose. Many of the poor families would save and save until they could send their children to higher education or provide a tutor on specific subjects. People like Augustine, Wycliffe, Luther, Spurgeon… and so many more influenced and promoted education for the Kingdom of God and his glory. It’s true that in politics money gets you an audience with many people in power. Its also true that if you develop skills you will be invited into the presence of people deemed great by the worlds standards. I believe we should have a passion to better ourselves and our children to become communicators for Christ within our culture. That may be in music, art, politics, speaking and preaching… By acquiring many languages and learning communication skills that fit the culture we live in. Let me read our text again. Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. You know one day we will stand before the greatest person in the Universe… It will be a gift that allowed us to be there. But it is not a gift that we worked for, but one given to us by the one we stand before. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Pray

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