Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 18-20

Highlight Verse:

““What did they see in your palace?” Isaiah asked. “They saw everything,” Hezekiah replied. “I showed them everything I own—all my royal treasuries.””
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord.

But that doesn’t mean he was perfect.

We can learn both from the good examples he set and the bad.

It is so easy, especially for us men, to fall into the trap of one-upmanship.

I can be as guilty of it as anyone. I love showing off my workshop or the remodeled kitchen.

That’s basically what Hezekiah did.

Granted, the friends I’ve shown aren’t likely to come rob me of all my wealth. They wouldn’t get much if they did.

I’d say it’s fine to show stuff with the intention of helping people make decisions of what they are going to do (for example, the remodeled kitchen) or to work together for good.

The problem is that showing off possessions gives those possessions power over our lives. We begin to work for them instead for the Lord and for family and friends.

Isaiah didn’t fault Hezekiah for having those possessions. He faulted him for showing them off.

It’s not bad for us to have nice things.

But it’s best when we can use those possessions to help others or to bring attention to God instead of our own egos.

How do you tell the difference between showing off and sharing to help others?
How do you know when you are getting something that will be helpful or just grow your ego?