“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”
(Prov 23:1-3NIV)
There is nobody in this life that will not at one time or the other need the help of others to go from where he is to where he is supposed to be. But it is important in seeking help that we look to God alone and not to men. That is because, first, if God does not help us, there is no one that can help us (2Kings 6:26-27). If God does not move people’s heart to help us or lift us, even if we live in a corner of their nostrils and they have all that it takes to help us, they will still not remember us or think of doing anything to help us.
You may be able to point to one or two individuals around you or in your life that have all the means to help you in improving the quality of life you are living or in opening certain doors of opportunity for you. Yet they are not lifting a finger to do anything for you. You may see them everyday and even be actively involved in their affairs. You may even have received promises of help and support from them in the past, promises that have not materialized into anything tangible. Don’t let that get you upset or make you become bitter in heart against them. That is because, regardless of what you do to them, for them or against them, if God does not move their hearts to do you good, they won’t do you any good.
Remember Joseph, for example. Even though God used him to help one of the officials of Pharaoh during his time in the prison, the man did not remember to do anything for him for two good years. That is besides the fact that he specifically told the man to remember him when he was eventually restored to his former position. And if, two years later, God had not brought about a situation that caused the man to remember him and the help he did for him, he would most likely have forgotten him for the rest of his lifetime. (Cf. Gen 40&41)
All this is why the bible says, “A man can receive nothing except it is given to him from above.” (Cf. John 3:27) Yes, he may try or labour hard to get something for himself. And he may twist situations or people to get whatever he thinks he needs for himself. But whatever he gets for himself or receives from anybody in this manner will ultimately become nothing in his hands, if it is not God that has given it. So, learn to turn to God for whatever you need, for it is only what He gives you that will certainly be yours.
Another reason we must learn to count on God for whatever help or favour we need in life is that it is only what He gives that is good and perfect and without sorrow (Prov 10:22; James 1:17). A lot of times, the help or favour we receive from men are with one form of attachment or the other. And that is why Solomon warns us in our opening text to be careful when certain individuals seem to be showing us kindness or favour. He uses food to illustrate his point, saying, “Even if you are a glutton, someone that forgets himself once he sees food, put a knife to your throat, when certain individuals offer you food and delicacies.”
But why does Solomon say you should put a knife to your throat? Why does he tell us to restrain ourselves in such situations? It is because that food we are eating will surely come with a price someday. And the price may just be too much for us to handle.
Unfortunately, many do not understand this. Once they need help, maybe a job, a position, a promotion or anything, they seek it anyhow and from anywhere. Yes, they may be praying and expecting God to move on their behalf. But they lack discernment. They cannot tell when to take help and when to reject it. They cannot tell who to receive help from and who not to receive help from. And that is how some are slaves of certain powerful people today, even though they are occupying very great positions in life.
Abraham once said to a king that he helped, “I have sworn to God that I would not collect anything from you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich’.” (Cf. Gen 14:21-23) That is a man with discernment, a man who knows when to put a knife to his throat. You too need discernment in your life. You need to know when to put a knife to your throat, so that you will not receive any help that will end up making you a slave of men. And may God grant you a discerning heart in all your dealings with men, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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By: J.O. Lawal | Date: July 29, 2020 | Series: Youth for Jesus | Number: Vol. 3, No. 11