Shun Evil Alliances - Daniel And King Belshazzar

Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.”

Daniel 5:17

As the power of the media, especially electronic media, has grown, elected officials have increasingly tried to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Politicians generally avoid taking money or other donations when doing so may give the appearance of compromise. Such a practice gives elected officials some cover because it allows them to serve out of a sense of duty to the people and not out of a desire for power or to pad their own bank accounts.

We naturally see something admirable about a man who refuses under-the-table financial reward for public service. That kind of man earns others’ trust and proves himself worthy to serve.

That’s partly why the prophet Daniel refused Belshazzar’s offer of monetary gifts and political status. The Babylonian king wanted a favorable interpretation of a most disturbing vision, and he probably hoped his largesse would secure what he wanted. He obviously didn’t know Daniel, an old prophet of God who refused to make a buck with the gift God had given him. Daniel had no interest in clasping hands with a man he saw as committed to evil.

Daniel also knew from the meaning of Belshazzar’s vision that the foolish king had just made his final political proposal. He didn’t hesitate to give Belshazzar the bad news, nor did he show the slightest vacillation in rejecting the doomed king’s gifts. Instead, Daniel let it be known that neither the truth nor his integrity was for sale.

Daniel served God with the integrity of a man who knows his part in the Lord’s plans and wouldn’t think of doing anything to compromise himself or the truth God had called him to speak. Such a man recoils at the thought of clasping hands with evil, especially for something as paltry as personal gain.

What really motivates you to serve? Do you see yourself as part of God’s special forces on earth, as an ambassador in his foreign service, as a servant in his Kingdom? If you serve God and others with a heart of love and commitment to him and others, you’re on the right track.