"WHAT'S IN THE PACKAGE"

Scripture: Proverbs 18:16 

A good friend called me recently with his personal insight regarding a man's gift making room for him. His insight sounded great and it pushed me to study the passage for clarity. He was referring to Proverbs 18:16 in which Solomon says "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men."

The word "gift" in the Old Testament is never used to refer to talent, skills, etc. It is always the Hebrew word "mattath" or "mattan" which means "offerings" or "presents".Read with that understanding, Solomon is saying that "a man's offerings or presents will make room for him and bring him before great men." Solomon is addressing the unfortunate but yet familiar strategy that people sometime use to get promoted. He's talking about how people give gifts with strings attached so that they will have audience, relationship, and favor with those in higher places.

Solomon is not encouraging that a man gives gifts as a strategy to gain access with great men. He is basically warning us that this strategy does exist and it's one that the Christian should avoid.We should never give gifts in hopes that the gift would make room for us. Our gifts should never be packed with ulterior motives. Gifts packed with expectations of some return should never be given. Whether tangible or intangible, deeds or words, the gifts that we give should come from the heart and it should never create a debt for the recipient. Let us all pray that God will give us a heart of giving with no strings attached.