A man used to give a beggar $1000 every month. The man continued in this state for a period of time. One day, he gave the beggar only $750. The beggar was surprised by that, but he said to himself, $750 is better than nothing. He left. After a month, he gave the beggar only $500. The beggar was surprised! He said to the man, “You used to give me $1000, then it decreased and became $750. Now, $500, why?” May I know the reason? The man replied, “In the past, all my children were young and I was well-off, so I would give you $1000. Then my daughter grew up and entered university, and the university expenses were high, so I started giving you $750. Now, my second son entered university, and the expenses increased, so I gave you $500.” The beggar asked him, “How many children do you have?” The man replied, “Four.” The beggar asked, “And will you educate them all at my expense?!”
Like the beggar in the story, Sometimes, we consider kindness and goodness of God as our right and not as unearned blessings. We can never ever earn any, but it is His love and grace that we enjoy them.
Take, for example, a promotion in a job or a new car etc. While we do seek the Lord's blessings, deep in our hearts many of us feel we "earned it".
Ephesians 2:8 says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God".
I sure am glad God doesn't give me what I deserve.
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