"As you know, we never use words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!"
(1 Thessalonians 2:5)
(1504 Engraving)
Image courtesy/ Wall Art Prints/media storehouse
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 that 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 Corinthians 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 benefit those who hear.
"Columbus' Eclipse"
A devotional by
Dennis Fisher
Our Daily Bread
RBC Ministries
(March 2011)
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