God Wont Use Gifts To Bribe Us

I heard a preacher one time telling his congregation that as long as they pray every day and live their lives for God, they will have cars, money, houses, everything they ever wanted. And he said that if they do not get the things that they want, this must mean that they are doing something wrong and God is not pleased with them.

And hearing that preacher mislead a huge group of people made me so mad. Because I don’t believe that if you live a Godly life that God will give you everything you ever wanted. Because then what happens when you don’t get everything you want but you are living a blameless life?

Wealth and success are not the results of a Godly life. Look at the life of Jesus, He was perfect and His life was filled with persecution, mockery, and toil.

If we do right God will bless us. But what if the blessing is simply being able to wake up in the morning and live our lives?

But I have found myself caring more about what God can and has done for me than who He actually is. I have always measured how much God loves me by the things and people and experiences that He has blessed me with. But even if God never did another single good thing for me for the rest of my life, that wouldn’t change who He is. He is still God, and deserves all the honor and glory and praise. Doing nothing, God is still awe inspiring. I figured because God gives me good things He must love me. But even when I feel like He has drawn back His hand, He still loves me.

God gives us good things according to His perfect timing and planning.

Matthew 7:11

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him

God gives us gifts because He loves us, He doesn’t hand out bribes.

Matthew 10:29

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows

We should not be concerned about whether or not God gives us gifts, because He has our every need taken care of .

God does, and will give us good things, but not to win our love. He already won our love, on the cross of Jesus Christ. God gives us good things because He loves us.

What we need is a change of perspective.

James 1:2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance

PURE JOY. Not just, ‘try to get through,’ or, ‘hang in there,’ but, consider it PURE JOY.

Instead of thinking, ‘how is God going to bless me today?,’ we should be asking, ‘how can I be a blessing to others today?’

We need to realize that God has already given us the priceless gift of eternal life, everything else is just a completely undeserved bonus.

There are times when I feel empty and dry and I cry out to God, “God, I cant hear you, I cant feel you, I cant see you. God don’t you love me?”

And even when I cant hear his answer, I know He does. Because the same God who made the universe and knows every star by name, knows the exact number of hairs on my head.

My name is written on the palm of his nail scarred hand. He rejoices over me with singing and will never stop doing good to me. He gave me His holy word so whenever I’m feeling lonely, whenever I’m feeling lost, I can read His words and be reassured of His love. What a love I have in Jesus.

Song recommendation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MecgrJvbk24