Every one of us has been blessed with unique gifts from God. These aren’t just our skills or talents, but also our capacity for kindness, understanding, and love. The Bible speaks often about these gifts, reminding us of their divine source and purpose. For instance “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
This verse underlines the idea that our gifts are not merely for personal gain but for serving one another.
However, as humans, we sometimes stray from these divine intentions. The story of Balaam offers a stark illustration of this. Balaam was a prophet who had the extraordinary ability to communicate with God. Yet, despite this incredible gift, he contemplated using it for selfish reasons.
Who Was Balaam?
Balaam was a prophet, which means he had the ability to communicate with God and receive messages from Him. This was a special gift indeed. But Balaam’s story takes some crazy turns. He was known not just among God’s people, Israel, but also by others who didn’t follow God. This made him quite popular and in demand.
One day, the king of Moab, asked Balaam to curse God’s people. The king offered Balaam money and honor if he did this. Now, Balaam faced a big test. Would he use his God-given ability to speak blessings and curses for selfish gain?
God warned Balaam not to curse the Israelites because they were blessed. Balaam knew what God said, but he was still tempted by the king’s offer. He went back and forth, trying to find a way to gain the rewards without directly disobeying God. This shows us that Balaam was more interested in what he could gain than in obeying God’s will.
Despite the restrictions placed upon him by God, Balaam found a way to undermine the blessings intended for God’s people. In Balaam tells Balak, “Behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.” Numbers 24:14
This might seem innocent at first, but it’s a precursor to Balaam’s ultimate act of defiance. He couldn’t outright curse Israel due to God’s prohibition, so instead, he advised Balak on how to lead Israel into sin, effectively bringing a curse upon themselves. Balaam’s actions here reveal a chilling insight: even when direct harm is impossible, a heart bent on selfish gain will find indirect ways to achieve its goals, often leading others into harm’s way. This manipulation of his divine gift, intended for blessing and guidance, into a tool for indirect cursing, underscores a betrayal of God.
Balaam’s story is a stark reminder that using God’s gifts for selfish purposes can lead us down a dangerous path. God gives us talents and abilities to serve Him and help others, not to further our own fame or wealth. When we focus on our desires instead of God’s plan, we risk losing sight of the true purpose of our gifts.
Balaam’s story ends as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of aligning our hearts and actions with God’s will.
Remember, the greatest gift we can offer is not just our talents, but our hearts, fully devoted to God’s service. Let’s make sure we’re using our gifts the right way!
