9265. 'And you shall not accept a gift' means detesting any kind of gain. This is clear from the meaning of 'a gift' as anything worldly that is loved, whether it is riches, positions, reputation, or something else that gratifies the natural man, for these worldly things generally are called gain and in the internal sense are what is meant by 'a gift' which blinds and perverts; and from the meaning of 'not accepting' as detesting, for unless such gain is detested it is still looked for and accepted. It is detested when what is heavenly and Divine is loved more than what is worldly and earthly; for to the extent that one is loved the other is hated, as accords with the Lord's words in Luke,
No slave can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other ... You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13.
'Hating' means detesting, for detestation is a feeling of hatred, and hatred is the opposite of love, which is why it says 'or he will love the other'. From all this it is evident that 'you shall not accept a gift' means detesting any kind of gain.
