What Happens When I Forget God’s Goodness?

In review of 1 Corinthians 4:7 it says, “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on your own?” (TLB).

Today’s verse is 1 Corinthians 4:7. It reminds me of my natural tendencies. It says who made me superior to others? Didn't God give me everything I have? Well, then, how can I boast, as if what I have were not a gift?

I need to make sure that my deepest loyalties are to Christ and no one else including myself. There is no room for boasting. No one has more status than another.

Trusting in God’s goodness helps me face life’s struggles. So, what happens when I forget God’s goodness? When I forget God’s goodness, I start claiming credit for things God has done.

In Luke 12, Jesus tells a story of a rich man who had been very successful but didn’t give God any of the credit. This man thought he built his wealth all by himself. God says to him, “You fool. Tonight you’re going to die, and I’m going to give everything you’ve amassed to somebody else who will appreciate it and express their gratitude to me.” That’s a sober warning!

Prideful ingratitude is the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven, and it’s the source of all my sins. When I stop being grateful to God, I get into trouble: “Yes, [people] knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused” (Romans 1:21 NLT).

The problem with the self-made man is that he doesn’t worship his maker. You may be thinking, Wait a minute; I built this business with my bare hands. But who gave you your hands? I thought up the business plan totally by myself. But who gave you your mind? I worked for where I got today by the sweat of my brow. But who gave you the ability to work so hard?

“What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on your own?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 TLB).

Everything I have in life—the ability to see, the ability to hear, the ability to eat, my freedom, my thoughts—I owe to God. I would not take my next breath if it weren’t for the goodness of God. I wouldn’t exist if God hadn’t made me to love me.

Ingratitude is actually one of the roots of atheism; when I’m ungrateful, I start dismissing or even denying what God has done. And that’s just a short step from denying that God even exists.

Yet the truth is I don’t even have to know a lot of the Bible to know a lot about God. All you have to do is walk outside. The Bible says it like this: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20 NLT).

When I start to doubt the goodness of God, just take a step outside the door and look around!

Bottom Line:

Who says you are better than others? What do you have that was not given to you? And if it was given to you, why do you brag as if you did not receive it as a gift?

What this means to me:

I should never forget that everything I have comes from God. It’s not me, but what God has given me the ability to do. There is no reason to boast about myself.

This morning Father I pray for healing for my upset / queasy stomach. I’m feeling better this morning, but still ask for your healing. Father I also pray for you wisdom and guidance in handling my day, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus Christ’s name, amen!