March 12, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Proverbs 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Gifts can be very difficult in giving and receiving.
In our text we find that the gift is there to pervert judgement. In other words the gift is there to cause the receiver to yield to persuasion. Giving a gift of that caliber is nothing more than a bribe.
In our political systems we have lobbyist who give great gifts in order to persuade those who sit in legal and political positions. These gifts are given for means of persuasion.
Some gifts are given to win favour and gain influence rather than being of free will without expectation of reward or retribution.
Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Often times gifts are given as a tether or an investment. One would give a gift to another expecting something in return. That is not a gift, that is an investment. Giving in such a way loses the gifted value of being a gift.
Some give gifts for others because they’re kind or because they have done something for them or laboured in some way. When a gift is given for someones effort it is no longer a gift, it is a wage. Again it loses its value of being a gift.
In other occasions gifts are given to satisfy or quell the anger or hatred of another.
Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
The giving of a true gift is without any of the above but should be given of free will without expectation. When a gift is given in that way it becomes precious.
Proverbs 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
A gift given as in Proverbs 17:8 is presented in pure affection and it becomes precious to the recipient. The gift of salvation is such a gift. I have been given that wonderful gift of salvation. Wherever it turns is prospers.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Have you accepted the gift of God, the gift of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord?
2Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
