RPG Adults
BE DISCERNING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Esther 3:9-11
Proverbs 14:15
"… and the king fell for it,
hook, line and sinker."
BE DISCERNING
Haman had tried to convince the king that it was not beneficial to have the Jews live in his kingdom. He cunningly requested King Ahasuerus to write a decree to have the Jews wiped out, even offering to sponsor ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s coffers. This amount is estimated to be in many millions of dollars today. He was either very rich or intended to pay it through the booty from the Jews (Esther 3:13). Gullibly, the king gave Haman his ring, the royal seal. He even willingly turned down the silver for his treasuries and allowed Haman to use it directly for the work of killing all the Jews. After all it was supposedly for the kingdom’s benefit. The king was fully convinced by Haman. He gave Haman a "blank cheque" to write whatever he wished and put the royal seal upon the dotted lines. Haman was surely persuasive with his presentation of "facts" and plausible reasoning of what was "beneficial" to the kingdom, coupled with his willingness to forego large sums of money. What a "loyal and selfless employee concerned for the well-being of his employer"! The king was hence totally taken in. But in reality, Haman was self-serving, uncaring, and wicked. He cared only for his own pride.
We need to have discernment. It is important to verify facts diligently and check the background of what is told to us before we jump to conclusions. We must not gullibly believe and simply act upon accusations, gossips or rumours. Statements, even apparently qualified ones, should still be carefully confirmed. Just remember that people who have an agenda or personal vendetta will creatively package information and even seem very committed. We all have the responsibility to be very certain before we approve or deal with something and making such serious decisions. Parents and people with leadership responsibilities at church or work must learn from this episode. Having scheming people around is dangerous. But undiscerning and careless leaders make it worse. Trust without discernment and judgment can be disastrous.
THOUGHT: What is the line between being trusting and gullible?
PRAYER: O Lord, help me not to be hasty in my conclusions.
Posted in Adult RPG
Esther 3:9-11
Proverbs 14:15
"… and the king fell for it,
hook, line and sinker."
BE DISCERNING
Haman had tried to convince the king that it was not beneficial to have the Jews live in his kingdom. He cunningly requested King Ahasuerus to write a decree to have the Jews wiped out, even offering to sponsor ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s coffers. This amount is estimated to be in many millions of dollars today. He was either very rich or intended to pay it through the booty from the Jews (Esther 3:13). Gullibly, the king gave Haman his ring, the royal seal. He even willingly turned down the silver for his treasuries and allowed Haman to use it directly for the work of killing all the Jews. After all it was supposedly for the kingdom’s benefit. The king was fully convinced by Haman. He gave Haman a "blank cheque" to write whatever he wished and put the royal seal upon the dotted lines. Haman was surely persuasive with his presentation of "facts" and plausible reasoning of what was "beneficial" to the kingdom, coupled with his willingness to forego large sums of money. What a "loyal and selfless employee concerned for the well-being of his employer"! The king was hence totally taken in. But in reality, Haman was self-serving, uncaring, and wicked. He cared only for his own pride.
We need to have discernment. It is important to verify facts diligently and check the background of what is told to us before we jump to conclusions. We must not gullibly believe and simply act upon accusations, gossips or rumours. Statements, even apparently qualified ones, should still be carefully confirmed. Just remember that people who have an agenda or personal vendetta will creatively package information and even seem very committed. We all have the responsibility to be very certain before we approve or deal with something and making such serious decisions. Parents and people with leadership responsibilities at church or work must learn from this episode. Having scheming people around is dangerous. But undiscerning and careless leaders make it worse. Trust without discernment and judgment can be disastrous.
THOUGHT: What is the line between being trusting and gullible?
PRAYER: O Lord, help me not to be hasty in my conclusions.
Posted in Adult RPG