Daniel 4-5
Only two chapters to read today, folks. Be sure to do so at http://www.biblegateway.com/ or with the BIBLE READER to the right of this post.
EARTHLY REWARDS.
I feel like most times, we only get out of bed and do something if it has something in it for us. For instance, we go to work to get money. School for education. Church for fellowship. We do nice things because we want others to have a better impression of us, and although that's not the case ALL of the time, it's still pretty evident in everyday life.
I'm not necessarily saying that's a bad thing-- to gain things for yourself. Sometimes we can gain friendship and happiness.
However, today I'm talking about the stuff we do for earthly treasures, like money, fame, and STUFF.
In today's reading, the king was in need of a dream interpretation. He needed help, and Daniel was nice enough to help him out. With the help of God, Daniel was able to tell the king what his dream meant, and it was a happy ending.
There was a surprise twist, though. The king was so thankful, he decided to give Daniel high honor in the kingdom, and clothed him in purple linens. He gave him gold, and power.
I loved what Daniel's response was when he was offered these things.
"Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. .."
Daniel 5:16-17
Daniel was helpful and Christ-like, and he didn't expect any earthly rewards. I say "earthly" because all these things Daniel was offered were things that belonged to the earth. They lived on earth, and wouldn't last forever. You can't take gold and purple linens to heaven, right?
Instead of expecting rewards on earth, do good things for your eternal reward: heaven!
Think on that this weekend. Today is 9/11, the sultry remembrance of a terrorist attack. The people who went into the fires and turmoil didn't do it to get money or fame-- but to do the RIGHT thing. They loved our country, and all the people living in it.
God bless all the families of these heroes, because they had their hearts set on eternal greatness, and didn't let money and fame bring them down.
Have a great weekend.
Peace.
Only two chapters to read today, folks. Be sure to do so at http://www.biblegateway.com/ or with the BIBLE READER to the right of this post.
EARTHLY REWARDS.
I feel like most times, we only get out of bed and do something if it has something in it for us. For instance, we go to work to get money. School for education. Church for fellowship. We do nice things because we want others to have a better impression of us, and although that's not the case ALL of the time, it's still pretty evident in everyday life.
I'm not necessarily saying that's a bad thing-- to gain things for yourself. Sometimes we can gain friendship and happiness.
However, today I'm talking about the stuff we do for earthly treasures, like money, fame, and STUFF.
In today's reading, the king was in need of a dream interpretation. He needed help, and Daniel was nice enough to help him out. With the help of God, Daniel was able to tell the king what his dream meant, and it was a happy ending.
There was a surprise twist, though. The king was so thankful, he decided to give Daniel high honor in the kingdom, and clothed him in purple linens. He gave him gold, and power.
I loved what Daniel's response was when he was offered these things.
"Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. .."
Daniel 5:16-17
Daniel was helpful and Christ-like, and he didn't expect any earthly rewards. I say "earthly" because all these things Daniel was offered were things that belonged to the earth. They lived on earth, and wouldn't last forever. You can't take gold and purple linens to heaven, right?
Instead of expecting rewards on earth, do good things for your eternal reward: heaven!
Think on that this weekend. Today is 9/11, the sultry remembrance of a terrorist attack. The people who went into the fires and turmoil didn't do it to get money or fame-- but to do the RIGHT thing. They loved our country, and all the people living in it.
God bless all the families of these heroes, because they had their hearts set on eternal greatness, and didn't let money and fame bring them down.
Have a great weekend.
Peace.
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