WHEN IN DOUBT, OFFER MONEY
“If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business.” Esther 3:9
Money talks. If someone is asked to do something about which he has reservations, add money to the offer and he will more than likely accept. It was true for Judas and it was true for the king in Esther’s story.
Haman had just made the suggestion to the king to massacre all the Jews in the kingdom. He painted them as traitorous. Knowing the king might be indecisive, Haman wrapped his package with the glitter of money. He, personally, offered to chip in 10,000 talents of silver to pay the men who would carry out the extermination of a race. He was making it difficult for the king to find a reason to object. Now, while it might have appeared that Haman would have to empty his bank account to make such an offer, he probably intended to take the spoils of the Jewish people and put some of it in his back pocket. When greed is a person’s stronghold, it will be daring and ongoing in its violation of conscience.
There are those who often attempt to buy me off in order to get what they want. “If you do that for me, I’ll make it worth your while,” I am told. I’m usually offered something they know I want, or even something I really need, which makes the proposition so attractive and hard to resist. The glitter of it can blind me to good judgment. I am in danger of compromising my ethics and even rationalizing that this could be God’s answer to my prayer. Not only will the transaction corrupt me but I will have missed the opportunity to experience God’s provision down the road.
The counterfeit always looks great but its shiny veneer begins to peel with time. It will eventually reveal itself for what it is in my hands. What was once so beguiling becomes distasteful as it represents foolish choices.
In contrast, God’s gifts are precious jewels that shine as monuments in my foundation of faith. They are beautiful the day they are given and only grow more precious with time. Nothing erodes in God’s kingdom ~ not even the ones I’m given this side of heaven.
Help me to desire You more than what could allure me to betray You. Overwhelm me again with the story of how You bought me at a great price and sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Originally published Tuesday, 09 April 2019.
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