What pleases God
This morning, I had breakfast and one of my friends was talking about some things he was doing for the benefit of others. He made the comment, “…of course, I don’t do this to get something out of it…” At first, I thought that sounded really humble. Then I thought about how it also sounded wrong.
We often have this false humility that we are not good enough for God to bless us. That is true. We are not. Even more so, we never will be. That is the mystery and the majesty of our God. God can not help but be generous with his children. And, if we have accepted Christ as the Son of God and as our Savior, we are re-created in Christ Jesus. It is Jesus who tells us: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
God wants to lavish His children with love and blessings. Do not be foolish enough to think that only means financial blessings, as I once did. Too often we think only of things we have or want, and not of the blessings God has bestowed upon us. The beauty of a sunrise or a sunset is a blessing. A good night’s sleep is a blessing. The hope we seen in a newborn infant is a blessing. That promotion is a blessing.
One of the things I did when I first learned Biblical financial principles was to make a vow to God to be thankful in all circumstances. I developed a Gratitude Journal. I simply took a three ring notebook and each day I would right down five things I was grateful to God for bringing into my life. To use the elevator analogy, my prayer life went from the first floor to the Penthouse in ten seconds. I even thanked God for the bad things (from my perspective, not His) that happened to me.
Do you want to please God? There is an old song, “Pennies from heaven,” which tells us if God wants to rain down pennies, turn your umbrella upside down. If you would please God, extend your arms in front of you, turn your palms up, and say, “Father, I will accept as much of Your Kingdom as You want to bless me with.”
The best is yet to come.
Stu Walker
