Sometimes It’s Best Not to Take Advantage of an Opportunity
“At the cost of his firstborn son…. At the cost of his youngest son….”
1 Kings 16:34
It was the perfect place for a city. So thought its inhabitants 5.5 centuries earlier. So still believe its twenty thousand inhabitants these days. In ancient times it was perfectly situated to be a trade center, at the juncture of some important routes. No wonder ambitious Hiel wanted to rebuild Jericho. There was only one problem. God wanted it to remain a heap of ruins—as a warning and as an encouragement to his people. After all, it was their first conquest in Canaan, empowered by Christ. So, when Hiel rebuilt Jericho, Joshua’s words came true: “At the cost of his firstborn son, Hiel laid its foundations, and at the cost of his youngest son, he set up its gates” (1 Kings 16:34).
Nowadays too there are “good” opportunities we ought to turn down. A purchase is such a deal, but you don’t need it. A chance to save money comes your way, but you find you have to compromise your values to take advantage of it. A new job with better money and benefits presents itself, but you won’t get to church nearly as much. You could retire, but at this point you could still better serve Jesus by working. Sometimes it’s best not to take advantage of an opportunity.
Still, there are financial opportunities you should not turn down. Every week you’ve got the chance to return to Jesus a little something of what he has given to you—trusting him, honoring him, thanking him. Not just every week, but every moment: Jesus sustains you, richly blesses you, forgives you, and eternally rescues you. Don’t turn down the opportunity to listen to him. Don’t miss the chance to bring an offering to him either.