MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Tuesday June 7, 2020
Topic: Was It A Mistake?
Text: 2 Kings 5:4 – 6
Naaman
set out for Samaria, carrying with him some luxurious gifts; ten changes of
raiment, splendid robes and outer garments for special days and occasions,
“festal” gowns (RSV, JB). To this day, Damascus is known for its beautiful
brocade cloth. To own a garment made of such material would indeed have been a
status symbol, and highly valued.
A
talent of silver contained three thousand shekels. A shekel of silver has been
estimated at from fifty to sixty cents. The total worth of silver Naaman took
was about US$18,000:00 (N3.96m – Three million, Nine Hundred and Sixty thousand
naira).
A
shekel of gold was many times greater. This calculation gives us a clear view
of the kind of luxury gifts Naaman took to Israel. Unfortunately, all those
gifts and the letter to King of Israel were mistakes on the part of Naaman
because you don’t buy the blessings of God with money. Those gifts were not a guarantee
that he will be welcomed and favoured.
This
is how some of us make grievous mistakes in worshipping God with our wealth and
talent. Our gifts are not bribe to God. Salvation and blessings of God are
gifts. Some sow seed with the mind of reaping more. It doesn’t work like that
because you can’t bribe God with your money; your tithe or your talent. You
should give out of love for God.
Naaman
and his master wrote to the King of Israel as if the girl told them of a king
who heals. Their action and letter show their arrogance. Instead of appealing
to the king to urge the prophet in his domain to help, they were compelling the
king to heal. Such action should not been seen among believers.
Food for Thought: Our gifts and sacrifices are not bribe to win God’s favour and
blessings.
Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:6
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to understand the best way to approach you and use my gifts
in worshipping you. 
