Dear Father, There is a natural response in a man who feels unworthy of a privilege or gift he receives: he either idolizes the giver or overcompensates for receiving it. Strangely, this applies not only when a man feels unworthy, but when he is indeed qualified, yet feels undeserving. For our value does not always match our compensation. This can lead us to assume that a gift can cloud a man’s judgment, whether or not he is deserving of it. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, he ordered that a daily portion of food and wine from his table be given to the Jewish captives, and Daniel and his friends were among them. And the king’s food likely included items sacrificed to idols and things not in line with Jewish laws and beliefs. So, by eating the food, Daniel and his friends would indirectly participate in pagan rituals and compromise their values in You. I see how enticing it is to appreciate You for such a privilege to eat from the table of a king. Is this not what a natural man would do? To take less of value into consideration, and more of greatness. In subtler ways than we realize, proximity to gifts and privileges can reshape a person’s values. Yet Daniel and his friends refused to be blinded by privilege. How easily would we exchange our values for privileges, and offer thanksgiving in deceitful ignorance? If forced to choose between values and positions, which would prevail? Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #values #gifts #priviledge