All Good Things Are Gifts

Readings:
Job 6
I Corinthians 4

Focus:
I Corinthians 4:7b: "What do you possess that was not given you? And if you received it as a gift, why take the credit to yourself?"

Not only do we have all of our material possessions, as well as our physical attributes, such as health or strength, because they are God's gifts to us, but also we have our personality traits and character qualities for this reason. In addition, our ability to achieve good things comes as a gift from God as well.

It is always tempting to be proud of ourselves whenever we do good things. But in reality we are able to do these things because of God working through us. On our own we are full of failings and would not be able to succeed. It is only in reliance on God, and through his strength, that we are able to achieve good things.

Sometimes we're not aware that we've been relying on him, or that he has worked through us. But that's part of what makes him even more fantastic--he doesn't always wait for our acknowledgement in order to help us.

Our response should always be thanks to the God who gives us so many gifts.