The word gift in this verse is also translated “bribe”. Many commentators and Bible translations choose to interpret this verse as “A bribe is as a precious stone….” This speaks of an individual who is used to getting their way through manipulating others with gifts. Gifts or bribes, have a way of skewing our judgment; sometimes so severely that we will sell our birthright for a bowl of pottage. At this point you may be thinking that this all seems irrelevant to us, unless we are planning to go into politics or something. However, I want to draw a parallel here between a bribe and a temptation. Both promise pleasure and prosperity; and if we allow ourselves to be influenced by them, both skew our judgment. If we would resist compromise in this area, we must have our eyes set on that which truly prospers. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he encouraged him that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1Tim 6:6). May we strive to be content in allowing godliness to influence our day to day decisions.