File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940629.txt
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OUR  DAILY  BREAD                    Wednesday, June 29, 1994
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READ:  Exodus 12:29-42

                       GOLDEN GODS

                 You shall have no other
                     gods before Me.

                      - Exodus 20:3


God had seized the attention of Pharaoh and the Egyptians
with  a series of plagues. Now they were dying to be rid of
their Hebrew slaves.  But God didn't want the Israelites  to
leave  Egypt empty-handed. After all, they had 400 years of
wages due them.  So they asked their former masters for  ar-
ticles  of  silver, gold, and clothing, and they got them.
Exodus 12:36 says that the Israelites "plundered the Egyp-
tians."

It wasn't long, however, until God's people fell into idola-
try.  They used their gold to make a golden calf, which they
worshiped while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the law
(32:1-4).

This tragic experience highlights the tension that Chris-
tians are required to maintain in relation to their posses-
sions.  There is much in our society that we may enjoy. But
material things can also pose grave dangers when we use them
uncritically.  Os Guinness says that we are "free to util-
ize" but "forbidden to idolize."  We are "strangers and pil-
grims on the earth" (Heb. 11:13), and we must not become so
enamored  with "the riches of Egypt" that we grow complacent
and forget our true calling.

Are we using our material blessings to serve the Lord - or
have we become slaves to them?


Author:  Haddon W. Robinson

        I have an old nature that noisily clamors
        To satisfy empty desire;
        But God in His goodness has sent me a Helper
        Who  whispers, "Your calling ishigher."

                                        - Gustafson

THOUGHT  FOR  THE  DAY:
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Gold can be a helpful servant
   but a cruel master.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Amos 4-6

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