Money Talks, But It Often Doesn't tell theTruth

565 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:1-4, “ When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, "What do you mean to do with these?" So Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink." 3 Then the king said, "And where is your master's son?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.'" 4 So the king said to Ziba, "Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours." And Ziba said, "I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!" (2 Sam 16:1-4) By way of review, Mephibosheth was Jonathan's son who was crippled as a five year old while fleeing for safety from the ravages of war. In an act of kindness David gave Mephibosheth all the property of Saul, and charged Ziba to be the overseer of this property, and further, Mephibosheth was given lifelong privileges of eating at the king's table. Ziba, seizes this opportunity to score points with David by bringing him much needed supplies, and when David inquires about Mephibosheth, Ziba lies and tells him that Mephibosheth was staying behind, hoping that this rebellion might restore his family to the throne. Upon hearing this news, David immediately cuts Mephibosheth off, and gives all of Mephibosheth's property to Ziba. Due to this generous gift (dare we say bribe?) from Ziba, David forgets a very important biblical principle. De 19:15 says, "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” Davis has fallen victim to the truth spoken of in De 16:19b "a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” There is a warning for all of us here. We should not let money and goods lead us to quick and erroneous judgment.