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I have often thought that the level of effort I put into something determines my success. If I just work hard enough, get up early enough, do the right things and keep my nose to the grindstone, I’ll succeed.
I have been dead wrong.
At least about the idea that it is my effort alone that brings success. The only reason why I have ever succeeded at anything in this life is because God has added His blessing to my effort. Hard work pays off – but that payment comes directly from God’s hand.
Have you ever noticed that the world glorifies the self-made man or woman? Those who have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps or risen from the ashes are lauded as the model of greatness. On the other hand, if you were born into wealth, inherited your father’s company, or rode in on someone else’s coattails; those types are often vilified. They are said to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouth and given everything. They are said to be spoiled, entitled, or lucky. Of course they have it all – it was given to them.
But the fact of the matter is – God’s blessing is the only thing that brings anyone success, whether you were born with it or (in your mind) toiled for every penny. Even those that don’t acknowledge His blessing are still receiving His blessing. Why? Because He loves. In the sermon on the mount Jesus taught us the posture of God towards all men, both righteous and unrighteous:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:44-45, NIV.
We are all His creation, and ultimately He wants every person to recognize that and be drawn to Him because of His goodness.
Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord-it makes [truly] rich, and he adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].” AMP
This is big for me, because I feel like the enemy is often working to steal my joy in the midst of blessing by telling me it will soon come to an end. As the clichés go, “nothing lasts forever,” and “enjoy it while it lasts.” This is often how I think, right in the middle of some of the greatest blessings and joyous occasions God blesses me with.
But His promise is to bless us without sorrow. Meaning He isn’t blessing us to play with our emotions or antagonistically pull the rug out from under us in the midst of our dancing. He wants us to enjoy what He’s given us to the fullest. Jesus confirmed this concept in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Notice the acknowledgement by Jesus of theft, death and destruction, as the opposite of what He came to bring. Agreement with the enemy through sin brings those things. Not God. God brings blessing in a never-ending effort to draw us to Him. And once we are His through repentance of sin and making Jesus Lord and Savior, we begin to experience life to the fullest, that is life with His blessing and without the dreaded consequences of sin.
He even blesses us while we sleep.
“EXCEPT the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil-for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 AMP
He blesses us to be a stream that flows to others, not a pond that stagnates and becomes a cess pool. We are building His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven; not our own. It’s when wickedness and greed and (fill in the blank) sin creeps in that His blessing is muddied with consequence.
“When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Proverbs 23:5, NASB.
Notice that when you “set your eyes on it”, it flies away. In other words, if you rely on it, get your security from it, or look upon it with pride thinking you’re the one who built it, it will suddenly slip right through your fingers and out of your grasp.
So here’s the moral of the story for me: Whatever wonderful things/relationships/occasions I enjoy in life, they are from God. My only posture should be gratefulness to Him for everything good I have. Wherever I am experiencing blessing, I should be listening for direction from God about how He wants me to share it. I also don’t have to fear loss. I should only fear God. If I keep my eyes on Him, then His blessing is icing on the cake of a life lived for His glory.
Sure you will have hard times. Jesus guaranteed it (John 16:33). But He also guaranteed victory and life to the fullest.
Meditate on that tonight as you fall asleep.
Excellent blog Lance! It boils down to do we have the blessings of God or do they have us? And as you have so eloquently stated in this blog who do we give the glory and credit to for every breath we take, every provision we have, and even fruit that we bear for the Kingdom. Finally, what is the end of all these blessings—to be in a position to always have more than enough for ourselves so that we can bless others realizing that eliminates the stagnation that blessings can bring and for sure causes our wealth to increase in both money and things money cannot buy. That is why there is not sorrow because when God brings it to us, it is a gift(s)lest any man should boast. When the Kingdom and blessings that God gives becomes ours and our doing we have just shifted from the heart surrender and attitude that will allow it to continue or not which by the way is always being tested. That is why the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eye and the boastful pride of life, are the potential paths to destruction and the strategy of the enemy to potentially thwart our effectiveness and influence in this life and the life to come. It is pretty simple to determine if we are walking there by our desire to take the credit for what we did not do. I heart a statement once that is pretty indicative of our heart – “it is amazing what one can do for the Kingdgom when we don’t care who gets the credit” (as far as us or man). That is a pretty good rule of thumb. When that is your heart, God will make sure your gift(s) makes room for you among men. But then again it will be Him opening the doors and not ourselves which makes all the difference in the world and the world to come for that matter! You only have to take a look at the rich, young ruler, or the Pharisees for a moment to understand where their hearts were on this matter – always seeking the praise and notice of man rather than God. Even to the disciples Jesus exhorted don’t focus or rejcice because of the praise of men (meaning that both thier praise and rejection will come and go) and don’t even focus or rejoice on that fact that my power through you can cast out demons, but rather rejoice that your names are written in the lamb’s book of life. Therein is the real text – whose names in the final analysis will really be written in His book for eternity? It will definitely be those who passed these heart tests of motive as He will not share His glory with anyone.