ODJ: the oprah effect
January 21, 2011
Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? (v.26)
READ: 2 Kings 5
While managing media and public relations for a handful of leading Washington, DC-based nonprofits, I found that nearly every organization I worked for craved recognition on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Their aspiration came as no surprise. Oprah Winfrey, after all, is “The queen of talk, a cultural and financial icon and her impact on business (and charities) is worth billions,” according to CNBC host Carl Quintanilla. “Oprah Winfrey is the most influential woman in America—maybe in the world.” Experts have coined the term “The Oprah Effect” to describe her unparalleled ability to boost companies’ bottom lines and to take organizations from no name to brand name. Some of us would love to benefit from the Oprah Effect, or most any other “rainmaker.” We can readily imagine what we would do with the potential added resources. Many of us would likely give more to the poor, expand our influence, and live more comfortably. Scripture states, however, that there are times when we must refrain from pursuing or receiving material gifts. In the case of the prophet Elisha, for example, it would have been wrong for him to request or accept gifts for the healing of Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5:15-16). Elisha knew that if he accepted Naaman’s “thank you” gift, the army commander would credit man, not God, for his healing. So even when Naaman persisted, Elisha stood firm, saying, “As surely as the Lord lives . . . I will not accept any gifts” (v.16). I know a sports chaplain who refuses to accept gifts from the professional athletes he works with because he doesn’t want them to question his motives. He simply wants to teach them the Word of God. Today, consider when you should refuse a gift in order to point someone to God. —Roxanne Robbins
List some instances where you might miss God’s blessings by accepting material gifts. When is it appropriate to give and receive material gifts?
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