Making Room Through Gifts - Proverbs 18:16

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge”, and in chapter eighteen and verse sixteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “a man's gift makes room for him” where we read,

A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

The verse begins, “A man's gift makes room for him, ...” Solomon began with the words, “a man's gift” or “a person whether male or female's offerings, presents and rewards” “makes room for him” which means “enlarges, widens and broadens the way of the person who has offerings and rewards”. Solomon shared how the offerings and rewards of a person enlarges their pathway.

The verse goes on to say, “... and brings him before great men.” Solomon continued with the words, “and brings him” or “and leads, guides and transports the person with gifts” “before great men” which means “in front and in the presence of large, abundant, important and distinguished people both male and female”. Solomon said the broadening of the path for the person with “gifts” carries them in front of important and distinguished people.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the offering and rewards provided by Jehovah God allows a person not only to broaden their opportunities, but also to put them in the presence of important people. God wants to give us gifts, (See Ephesians 4:8) and He gave us His greatest gift when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and bless us with rewards so we may have our paths widened and be placed before great people.

Next time Solomon says, “he that is first in his own cause seems just”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".