Does your god take bribes?

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17

How did the pagans worship? How do they worship even now?

Well no matter which god they claimed, we find one practice that was common to all. In every pagan religion (Caananite, Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Celtic, Animism to name but a few) the common factor is that if you made an offering (or bribe) to that particular god, you could persuade that god to give you something you wanted... that your personal will in a particular matter would be granted. Usually the increase in your flocks or fields, financial transactions, weather, health, love life, you name it.

Christians are supposed to be different. Yes, we can and do pray for the things we need. But in all things we know that our will must be subserviant to God's will.

Our God is not a genie in a bottle. Nor is He a pagan god. I've heard preachers say that it shows lack of faith to say "Thy will be done" ...that we should name it and claim it after we have generously given to their ministry.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

We are not the master of our God. Instead we know that our God is a good God and we rely on Him in all things. We love and worship Him whether or not things go our way. His will be done in all things. He will work matters out for good even when things look bad from the human perspective. We give Him our tithes and offerings NOT as a bribe or incentive, but out of love!

Pagans believed in times past (and now) that bribes to a god could induce favor and blessings. The attitude of the heart wasn't critical... merely the sum of the offering. But, attitude of the heart is everything! It is the only gift God truly appreciates.

Are we pagans, or are we Christians? I know I shall always say, "Thy will be done!"

⁸“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

                Hallowed
                    be Your name.

                10 Your kingdom come.

                Your
                      will be done

                On
                    earth as it is in
                    heaven.

                11 Give us this day our daily bread.

                12 And forgive us our debts,

                As we
                    forgive our debtors.

                13 And do not lead us into temptation,

                But
                    deliver us from the evil one.

                For Yours
                    is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
                    Amen.
 
YBIC
Bruce Baber