The Daily Word: Sunday, January 10th, 2021
Genesis 23:1-24:51
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.” – Gen. 23:8-9
Abraham needed a field in Kiriath Arba to bury his wife. He spoke to the sons of Heth, who were the inhabitants of that place, and they offered him the “choicest of [their] burial places” (v 6). What’s more, they offered it to Abraham for free. But Abraham didn’t listen. He told them he would pay “full price!” Even after he found the perfect plot of land, the owner offered it to him for free again:
“No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you. Bury your dead!” – Gen. 23:11
But Abraham refused. He insisted on paying full price, and weighed out four hundred shekels of silver and gave it to the owner for everyone to see.
Why was Abraham so adamant about paying the full price? First, because he was blessed! He had the money. God will give you the resources to do what He calls you to do. You don’t have to haggle a lower price! You don’t have to beg for help from other people. Trust that God will provide you with everything you need to pay full price. God hasn’t called you to be a Christian mooch. He has called you to be blessed as a testimony to the world around you!
Second, he refused a handout so no one could ever say that man had made him rich. We see this same response from Abraham in Genesis 14:22-23. Abraham swore that he would “take nothing” (Gen. 14:23) from those who sought to take credit for his prosperity. And you should do the same.
Don’t rely on man. Rely on God! And He will give you what you need to pay full price.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for blessing me abundantly! I am not cheap; I am blessed. Help me to show the world just how good You are by just how much You have blessed me. I am going to pay full price, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.