1 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)
We’ve talked about how trusting in God’s goodness helps you face life’s struggles. But what happens when you start thinking you earned the good things in your life and forget they come from God?
In Luke 12, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who is very successful but doesn’t give God any credit for his prosperity. And so God tells the rich man, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?” (Luke 12:20 NLT). Jesus finishes the story by saying, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21 NLT).
That’s a sober warning!
Prideful ingratitude is the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven, and it’s the source of all sins. When you stop being grateful to God, you get into trouble: “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused” (Romans 1:21 NLT).
The problem with some self-made people is that they end up worshipping themselves. They may think, “Wait a minute; I built this business with my bare hands.” But who gave you your hands? They say, “I thought up the business plan totally by myself.” But who gave you your mind? They claim, “I worked hard for where I am today by the sweat of my brow.” But who gave you the ability to work so hard?
The Bible asks it this way: “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
Everything you have in life—the ability to see, hear, and eat, even your freedom and thoughts—you owe to God. You would not take your next breath if it weren’t for the goodness of God.
Ingratitude is a root of atheism; when you’re ungrateful, you start dismissing or even denying what God has done. And that’s just a short step from denying that God even exists.
Yet the truth is, you can see the presence of God everywhere you look: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
If you start to doubt God’s goodness, just take a step outside your door and look around. You can see God’s goodness throughout his creation!
We’ve talked about how trusting in God’s goodness helps you face life’s struggles. But what happens when you start thinking you earned the good things in your life and forget they come from God?
In Luke 12, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who is very successful but doesn’t give God any credit for his prosperity. And so God tells the rich man, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?” (Luke 12:20 NLT). Jesus finishes the story by saying, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21 NLT).
That’s a sober warning!
Prideful ingratitude is the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven, and it’s the source of all sins. When you stop being grateful to God, you get into trouble: “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused” (Romans 1:21 NLT).
The problem with some self-made people is that they end up worshipping themselves. They may think, “Wait a minute; I built this business with my bare hands.” But who gave you your hands? They say, “I thought up the business plan totally by myself.” But who gave you your mind? They claim, “I worked hard for where I am today by the sweat of my brow.” But who gave you the ability to work so hard?
The Bible asks it this way: “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
Everything you have in life—the ability to see, hear, and eat, even your freedom and thoughts—you owe to God. You would not take your next breath if it weren’t for the goodness of God.
Ingratitude is a root of atheism; when you’re ungrateful, you start dismissing or even denying what God has done. And that’s just a short step from denying that God even exists.
Yet the truth is, you can see the presence of God everywhere you look: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20 NLT).
If you start to doubt God’s goodness, just take a step outside your door and look around. You can see God’s goodness throughout his creation!
Talk It Over
When you look beyond the obvious things like rain and trees, what do you notice about God’s goodness in nature?
What good things in your life do you tend to take credit for rather than giving credit to God?
How does a wrong understanding of God’s character skew your perspective on life? How does it make you “dark and confused,” as Romans 1:21 says?
- by Pastor Rick
**********************************************
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us when we so easily get caught up in the busyness of life and overlook the blessings that surround us. We know that each day is a gift from You, filled with moments of grace, love, and provision. Thank You for the many blessings You have poured into our lives. Keep us ever mindful to see Your hand in all things and to cultivate a heart that is always thankful.
Remind us, too, to give thanks, not just in the good times, but also in the challenging moments, trusting that You are working for our good. Fill our hearts with gratitude, and let it overflow in our words and actions. We want to be a living testimony of Paul's words in Colossians that whatever we do, whether it be in word or deed, that we do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You, Father, through Him. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Forgive us when we so easily get caught up in the busyness of life and overlook the blessings that surround us. We know that each day is a gift from You, filled with moments of grace, love, and provision. Thank You for the many blessings You have poured into our lives. Keep us ever mindful to see Your hand in all things and to cultivate a heart that is always thankful.
Remind us, too, to give thanks, not just in the good times, but also in the challenging moments, trusting that You are working for our good. Fill our hearts with gratitude, and let it overflow in our words and actions. We want to be a living testimony of Paul's words in Colossians that whatever we do, whether it be in word or deed, that we do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You, Father, through Him. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment