(Read Daniel 5:13-17)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We will pick up Daniel’s story where we left off yesterday.
The Bible says, “So they brought Daniel to the king and he asked, “Is your name Daniel, one of the captives my father the king brought here from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you understand secrets and are very smart and very wise. The wise men and the men of magic were brought to me to read this writing on the wall. I wanted them to explain to me what it means, but they could not explain it. I have heard that you are able to explain what things mean, and that you can find the answer to very hard problems. If you can read this writing on the wall and explain to me what it means, this is what I will do for you: I will give you purple robes to wear and will put a gold chain around your neck. Then you will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Then Daniel answered the king, “King Belshazzar, you can keep your gifts for yourself, or you can give them to someone else. But I will still read the writing on the wall for you and explain what it means.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Daniel was so blessed that he was not motivated or tempted by the king’s gifts.
a) King Belshazzar offered Daniel the only things he had: money and power. The offer included purple robes to wear, a gold chain for his neck, and the 3rd highest position in the kingdom.
b) Earlier in his life Daniel might have been tempted by these gifts, but he had already experienced money, power and fame. Daniel was already blessed and he was not moved by the king’s offer.
2. Daniel was so blessed that he told the king he could keep his gifts. ]
a) Daniel said, “King Belshazzar, you can keep your gifts for yourself, or you can give them to someone else. But I will still read the writing on the wall for you and explain what it means.”
b) I am sure the king did not expect Daniel’s response.
c) Daniel was only moved by God and what God led him to do.
3. Daniel was so confident in God that he promised to provide an answer without even looking at the problem.
a) The first time Daniel stood before a king and was asked to provide an answer, he needed time to pray.
b) This time Daniel confidently told the new king that he would provide the answer. Daniel said this without praying, without taking time to think about it, and without even seeing what the writing on the wall was.
c) Daniel had walked with God long enough to know what God had graced him to do.
d) Daniel had been through enough with God to confidently declare his capabilities.
e) When you know what God has graced you to do, you know what you can and can’t do.
f) When you are comfortable with your relationship with God, you can simply launch out in faith in the areas where He has already given you grace.
4. God can bless you to the point where you are no longer tempted by the things of this world.
a) The things of this world can be tempting; so much so that satan used them to tempt Jesus.
b) When you don’t have something or you have never experienced it, it can be tempting to the point where the mere thought of having it might motivate you to get it.
c) God is not opposed to you having things. God will bless you richly and He wants you to enjoy life (1 Tim 6:17).
d) God can bless you to the point where the things of this world no longer become a motivating factor for you.
e) God is okay with you having things, just as long as things don’t have you.
f) God doesn’t want you to pursue things, He wants you to pursue Him, and if you do, He will see to it that things pursue you (Mat 6:33).
5. God can bless you to the point where you only motivation is doing what He says.
a) Daniel told the king to keep his stuff, but he still provided the answer. Why? Because providing the answer was the will of God.
b) Daniel was only motivated by God’s will. God wants us to get to this point.
c) I am about to retire from the military. Companies are lining up to provide me offers. Thankfully, like Daniel, I am the point in my life where I am not motivated by money. I will take all the money the Lord leads me to receive — because I know it takes money to fund Kingdom projects — but money is not my motivation. The will of God is my motivation.
d) Money makes an excellent servant, but a poor master.
e) When you get to the point where you are only motivated by doing what God says, He will bless you richly. You will enjoy the supernatural peace associated with knowing You are in the will of God and God will also bless you richly to enjoy the things of this world.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. Daniel is a great example for me. Daniel stood before King Belshazzar and he was not moved by the king’s offer. Daniel had already experienced Your profuse blessing and the riches of this world were no longer a temptation for him. Daniel was only moved by You and He was only motivated to do whatever You led him to do. I declare that I am like Daniel. I am not moved by the things of this world. Money is not my motivation. I don’t pursue money or earthly riches, I pursue You. But as I pursue You, You bless me to receive money, earthly power and worldly influence. I pursue You and You see to it that things pursue me. I can have things, because things don’t have me. I am not high-minded, nor do I trust in uncertain riches. My trust is in You and because of it You freely give me all things richly to enjoy. You know what I enjoy and You don’t have a problem with me enjoying those things, because I keep my focus and confidence in You. So Father I thank You for blessing me to the point where I am no longer tempted by the things of this world. My only motivation is You. I am determined to do ONLY what You lead me to do, and I am confident that as I do, I will enjoy the life You birthed me to live. Jesus came that I would have life, and have it more abundantly. I declare that I do and I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
