You? God? Circumstances?
Consider: If you start thinking to yourselves, I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine! well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth (Deu. 8:17, 18a Msg.).
Reason argues that you determine your standard of living on earth and God determines it in heaven.
Revelation says the opposite: GOD determines your standard of living on earth1 and YOU determine it in heaven.2 People think that they should work hard to improve their lives; Jesus said, Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.3 An individual works hard and earns money, concluding that this money is the product of his labor.4 If he someday faces bankruptcy, he works even harder, only to find that it doesnt save his business. Then he learns that you can work hard and earn little. God makes the determination.5
The uneven distribution of gifts6, abilities7, opportunities8, and circumstances9, ensures the individuals dependence upon God to determine his standard of living. God dictates your socioeconomic environment, as well as your intellect and health.10 Jesus makes these determinations in hopes that you willnot worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. 11 He makes these decisions so that you will be motivated to lay up treasures in heaven.12
Salvation is by grace13; rewards are by works. You, not God, determine your standard of living in heaven. In an act of grace, He eliminates the possibility of your determining it on earth so that you can focus on the eternal.14,15
This week may you experience His grace, peace and protection.
R. Dwight Hill
1Job 1; 2Matt.5:12; 6:1, 2, 4; 10:42; 16:27; Lk. 6:35; Col. 3:23, 24; Heb. 11:26; 3Jn. 6:27; 4ICor. 4:7, 5Psa. 127:1, 2; Pro. 10:22; 6 I Cor. 12:7-11; 7 Luke 12:48; 8Matt. 25:14-29; 9Lk. 16:19-31; 10Jn. 9:1-3; 11 Matt. 6:25; 12 Matt. 6:19, 20; 13 Eph. 2:8,9; Tit. 3:5; 14 2 Cor. 4:18; 15Excerpts taken from Scripture and thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man Walter Henrichsen, as amended by Samuel K. Beler December 2001