While managing media and public relations for a handful of leading Washington, DC-based nonprofits, I found that nearly every organization I worked for craved recognition on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Their aspiration came as no surprise. Oprah Winfrey, after all, is “The queen of talk, a cultural and financial icon and her impact on business (and charities) is worth billions,” according to CNBC host Carl Quintanilla. “Oprah Winfrey is the most influential woman in America—maybe in the world.”
Experts have coined the term “The Oprah Effect” to describe her unparalleled ability to boost companies’ bottom lines and to take organizations from no name to brand name. Some of us would love to benefit from the Oprah Effect, or most any other “rainmaker.” We can readily imagine what we would do with the potential added resources. Many of us would likely give more to the poor, expand our influence, and live more comfortably.
Scripture states, however, that there are times when we must refrain from pursuing or receiving material gifts. In the case of the prophet Elisha, for example, it would have been wrong for him to request or accept gifts for the healing of Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5:15-16).
Elisha knew that if he accepted Naaman’s “thank you” gift, the army commander would credit man, not God, for his healing. So even when Naaman persisted, Elisha stood firm, saying, “As surely as the Lord lives . . . I will not accept any gifts” (2 Kings 5:16).
I know a sports chaplain who refuses to accept gifts from the professional athletes he works with because he doesn’t want them to question his motives. He simply wants to teach them the Word of God.
Today, consider when you should refuse a gift in order to point someone to God.
More:
• Genesis 14:22-23
• Acts 20:33
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9
Next:
List some instances where you might miss God’s blessings by accepting material gifts. When is it appropriate to give and receive material gifts?
jstabel on January 21, 2011 at 6:16 am
When a ‘gift’ looks like it will satisfy a need at that it presents itself as God-sent.It zeros to having the Spirit of discernmemt to know if its appropriate or not,another fact is the issue of self-discipline.In all this we still need the GRACE OF GOD in circumstances like that.
lindagma on January 21, 2011 at 7:08 am
Oh how easily we slip into the need to be rewarded for our efforts. Not only do we risk taking the focus off of God for others, in our “human” mind, we begin thinking more highly of ourselves taking at least part of the credit.
The command to be humble is one of the most difficult achievements and only by keeping our eyes on the Lord can we recognize the source of strength and abilities…and yet we must keep our self-esteem in being a child of the King…lest we show the world that being a Christian is not a desirable thing to be. A challenging balance.
Akinolawale on January 21, 2011 at 10:40 am
Accepting a “Greek gift” and eating it is more deadly than poison. It does not only destroy one, but even hamper one’s detiny and that of generations after him. If you are in doubt of this, ask Bro Gehazi.
tom felten on January 21, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Akinolawale, Gehazi defintiely suffered for getting greedy with gifts! (2 Kings 5:25-27).
sowharvest on January 21, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Hello Roxanne:
Your word was a word for me today. Just as I was reading I received a call from a lady who just wanted to share the WORD with me.. She was not seeking anything but it was confirmation of the message beyond the “oprah effect” I received from this devotional. She stated that “isn;t it wonderful that GOD cares for us. That the world and even some religious folks want to speak about the Lord bringing this chaos that we are living in”.. She had me read aloud 1 Peter 5:6-7 which says”humble yourself under GOD’ s mighty hand, that HE may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.”
This was confirmation from the message of 2Kgs 5 where Naaman (the mighty warrior) had to humble himself to go into the Jordan 7x so that he could be cleansed. Like the “due time” mentioned in 1 Pet 5:6 the Lord healed Naaman. NO not like he thought (2Kgs 5;11-12) because GOD may not work EVER like we think.. But we must humble ourselves and understand that ONLY the LORD can and will do all things. So as believers—- we are called like the young servant girl and the woman caller to me–to share the gospel because doing the will of GOD” is service in the real sense and we can never earn it. We are given it because HE LOVES US.. May GOD bless the world and believers as we remember how just sharing the gospel no matter where we are can have such great rewards. Praise be to GOD. Thanks again for this timely devotional.
daisymarygoldr on January 21, 2011 at 2:02 pm
A very pertinent post! Especially now during these trying times when churches are hurting due to lack of funds to help support basic needs.
In Gen 14, Abram accepted King of Salem’s gift which refreshed, revived, and reminded him that it was the Lord who delivered his enemies and it is God who gets all the glory. On the other hand, Abram rejected King of Sodom’s gift which was offered to tempt him—to compromise.
Paul “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions” (2 Cor 11:8) so he could serve unsaved gentiles and carnal Christians of Corinth by preaching the gospel at no cost.
From those 2 instances in the Bible, it is clear that we should not accept gifts from unbelievers and the unsaved. And whenever we preach a Sunday sermon on giving, it is good to remember that 75% of the pews are filled with unsaved souls and carnal Christians.
It is wise to lay out all financial needs of the church before mature believers in the weekly prayer meetings. If we depend on “the Oprah effect” or ill-gotten wealth, we will end up compromising the truth—by peddling God’s Word—to please people and preach what they want to hear so as to gain bigger profits.
Also, material gifts that are given in the hope of receiving God’s blessings in return, should not be accepted. That is like making a business deal or trying to bribe God. It brings dishonor to His name. In Acts 8, Peter sternly rebuked Simon who offered money to the Apostles in hopes of receiving spiritual power.
In order to point someone to God, we must not receive anything for hire as Balaam did (Num. 22) and we should not give or receive for dishonest gain (1 Pet. 5:2).
Bottom line: The ungodly give with an ulterior motive and their gifts should be refused because it brings curse—as God is robbed of His glory. But the godly give gladly out of love for God and their gifts should be accepted as they bless us with joy, strength and also remind us that God is the ultimate giver of all good gifts.
tom felten on January 21, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Right on, daisymarygoldr: “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
kadoshkudus on January 21, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Just do our part sincerely and let God do the rest. Thanks Lord. I know that Your gift is much better than any gift from a man.