On one of
Christopher Columbus’ voyages, he found that his crew’s food supply was almost
depleted. Anchored off the island of Jamaica, he was grateful to be given food
by the islanders. But as time went on, the gifts of food decreased so that the
crew began to starve.
Columbus
knew from an astronomy book that a lunar eclipse would soon occur. He called
the native chiefs together and told them God was angry about their selfishness
and would blot out the moon. At first the islanders scoffed. But when they
watched the night’s silver disc slowly become dark, they became terrified and
quickly brought food. Columbus said that if he prayed, the moon would be
restored. Though we may empathize with his circumstances, Columbus’ “message
from God” was dishonest and self-serving.
Aware of
religious charlatans who “peddled” God’s Word for their own desires, the
apostle Paul wrote, “We are not, as so many, peddling the Word of God; but as
of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 2:17).
At all
times we must be on guard not to misrepresent God’s message to acquire what we
want from others. With a heart yielded to God, we must honestly share spiritual
truths that will benefit those who hear.
The
purpose of sharing God’s truth is to profit others,
not to prosper ourselves. (RBC)
not to prosper ourselves. (RBC)
