It gives me pleasure to serve and give to my children and grandchildren. The simple joy I receive is payment enough, but I receive their gratitude and a share of their time as well. Balancing the scales or creating a sense of obligation never crosses my mind. In fact, if anything, we each seek to outgive the other! There’s no pretense. When it’s within my power to be a blessing, why would I do otherwise?
Our Heavenly Father, God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, (James 1:17) gives generously to all, for in Him, we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) He is under no obligation to us, His creation. There is no favoritism or partiality with God. He treats everyone the same. (Colossians 3:25)
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
Matthew 7:9-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.9-11.NLT
“For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.
All glory to him forever! Amen.”
Romans 11:34-36 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.11.34-36.NLT
“Who has given me anything that I need to pay back?
Everything under heaven is mine.”
Job 41:11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/job.41.11.NLT
“Job 41:11 is a salutary reminder that we are not independent. Even if God were not the supremely good God he is, we would have no comeback. He owns us; he owns the universe; all the authority is his, all the branches of divine government are his, the ultimate judiciary is his. There is no “outside” place from which to judge him. To pretend otherwise is futile; worse, it is part of our race’s rebellion against God—imagining he owes us something.”
For The Love Of God: Day 71 • Devotional
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/786/day/71?segment=0
“The Lord, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets.
“Bring my faithful people to me— those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”
Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge.
“O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God!
I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens.
For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.””
Psalms 50:1, 5-11, 23 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.50.1-23.NLT
I am not independent of God nor am I independent of my fellow man. All life on earth is interconnected. Humanity is charged with the care and keeping of the earth, (Genesis 2:15) and ever since God judged Cain for the murder of his brother, Abel, it has been evident that we are indeed our brother’s keeper. (Genesis 4:9)
“No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.”
-John Donne, 1624
The Psalmist, David, King of Israel, contemplates God’s nearness and knowledge of man saying,
“I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.”
Psalms 139:7-12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.7-12.NLT
“But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/tit.3.5-7.NLT
Such rich generosity which is entirely undeserved and can never be repaid can be overwhelming! What, then, is the proper response?
“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.”
Psalms 50:14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.50.14.NLT
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.
This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 NLT
A Fitting Reply 