Proverbs 19:6
Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
“Generous man” could be translated “nobleman” or “prince.” Whatever the case, the point is that the person in a position to bestow gifts – be it of money, of position, of power – will have many “friends” who in truth are lovers of what he can give. The person may understand this and all the more loves his position because he can get “friends” to show him attention. The end result, however, is his own downfall from the ego that swells up in him, and the desertion of such friends when the downfall comes.
The irony of such behavior is that the One who rules over all and is more than generous is the one such “friends” are least likely to turn to. What does God offer? All the riches in Christ Jesus. He offers not only escape from damnation, but eternal bliss. He offers food and drink without cost. He paid the greatest cost in order to offer these marvelous gifts. Furthermore, he guarantees what he gives. Think about this. The one things that is the most important – eternal joy – is the one thing that he gives away and guarantees that we cannot lose.
And how do most people respond? “No thanks.” C. S. Lewis was right. Our problem is not that we desire too much, but that we are satisfied with so little. Seek the favor of this generous King who gives costly gifts beyond measure. You who have turned to Christ: why do you act as though you do not have his favor? Why do you act as though you are poor, that your King does not give you gifts? It is such an attitude that keeps the lost from turning to our King, because they look at you and conclude that he is a poor giver. Make them envious of the gifts of peace, of love, of so many other gifts that you have in Christ.
2 Peter 1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Prophecy of Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[b] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.