-
Browse by Books of the Bible
- Old Testament
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
- Job
-
Psalm
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
- New Testament
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
- Revelation
- Browse by Topics
-
Browse by Series
Daily Devotions
A systematic reading of the Scriptures, portioned to complement your daily time spent with God.Pastoral Letters
- Meditation
A weekly pastoral column that complements the pulpit messages and bimonthly theme. - Grace Works
A weekly pastoral letter to minister to young adults, inspired by the grace of God. - Youth Walk
A weekly pastoral letter written to encourage young people in their daily walk with God. - Parenting by the Book
A series from the Book of Proverbs that teaches us how to bring up children and build good Christian homes. Study Notes
- Morning Worship Messages
Message notes from every Sunday’s Morning Worship with a common bimonthly theme. - Evening-Bilingual Worship Messages
Message notes from every Sunday’s Evening-Bilingual Worship with a common bimonthly theme. - Prayer Meeting Notes
Notes from our weekly Monday Prayer Meetings - Bible Study Notes
Notes from our weekly Tuesday Bible Study - Senior Sunday School 4 Notes
Notes from Pastor Charles’ Sunday School class - Combined Sunday School Notes
Message notes from Combined Sunday School focusing on the Life and Teachings of Christ Jesus - Young Adults’ Group Messages
Message notes from our weekly Young Adults’ Group meetings. - Young People’s Group Messages
Message notes from our weekly Young People’s Group meetings. - Family Camp Messages
Message notes from our annual family camps where different themes are explored every year. - Spiritual & YAG Retreat Messages
Message notes from our biannual Spiritual & YAG Retreats that serve to instruct, correct and regenerate. - Youth Conference Messages
Message notes from our annual youth conferences where young people learn the relevance of faith. - Intermediate Sunday School
Message notes from the Intermediate Sunday School
Parenting by the Book
STUDY 174
Text: Proverbs 17
24 October 2004
Dear Parents,
SUBTLE REFERENCE TO THE PROBLEM OF BRIBERY
Bribery is not a modern day phenomenon. It has existed from the earliest days. King Balak bribed Balaam to attempt cursing Israel (Numbers 22-23). How the heart must be guarded against the problem of corruption.
A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.Proverbs 17:8
HOW BRIBERY AFFECTS THE INDIVIDUAL
1. The person who resorts to bribing
He knows only too well just how effective bribery is. Thus he keeps using bribes to get things done. Through experience, he knows that when he uses bribes, he will “prosper.”
2. He understands the heart of the person who can be bribed
a) A present is like a precious stone
The present may not be very costly in itself. But in the eye of the recipient, the present is as good as “a precious stone” (rubies, diamonds).
b) In the eyes of the possessor
The person who offers the bribe is often not caught up with the present he offers. He has his own agenda to pursue. He knows that if he can attract the eye of the person he wishes to bribe he would have won the day.
“EVERYONE HAS A PRICE”
It is often said that every man has a price. If only the offer is high enough, anyone could be bribed. Satan tried his utmost to bribe the Lord Jesus. He tried to bribe him with ALL the riches of the world! He failed. Jesus could not bribed!
The devil went on to try and bribe Jesus in other ways! Jesus refused to yield to the temptations! Not everyone can be bought! It is possible to say NO to corrupting bribes!
LIVING BY EVERY WORD FROM GOD
How does a person live free from the temptation that the world offers? What the Lord Jesus said to the Devil holds the secret. If we teach our children how to live by the Word of God, they too can grow up to be strong and upright people.
… Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.Matthew 4:4
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie