God Owes You Nothing

Good morning, Church! Before we dive into today's sermon, let me share a funny story with you. There was a little boy who prayed one night and said, "God, if you give me a bike, I promise I'll be good for a whole week." The next day, he woke up and found no bike. So he prayed again, "God, if you give me a bike, I promise I'll be good for a whole month!" Still, the next day, there was no bike. The boy thought for a moment, took a statue of Virgin Mary from the shelf, wrapped it in a cloth, and placed it in a drawer. Then he prayed, "God, if you ever want to see your mother again..."

Our scripture today comes from Romans 11:35 (NIV), "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" It reminds us of a fundamental truth, God owes us nothing. We often live in an 'If-Then' mentality. If we are good, then God will reward us. If we pray, then God will give us what we want. But is that how God operates?

The story of Job is a perfect example. Job was a righteous man who lost everything - his wealth, his health, and his children. In his despair, Job questioned God, seeking answers. But God's response in Job 41:11 (NIV) was profound, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me." 

God owes us nothing, yet He gives us everything. He gave us life, He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation, He gives us grace, love, mercy, and the promise of eternal life. He even gave Job back double what he had lost. Not because He owed Job, but because He is a generous and loving God.

Remember the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20? The landowner paid all his workers the same wage, whether they had worked all day or only one hour. When some grumbled, he asked, "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?" God's grace isn't based on our works. It isn't something He owes us. It's a gift that He freely gives.

Yes, God owes us nothing, but He has promised us everything if we believe in Him and accept His son, Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

So, let us break away from the 'If-Then' mentality. Let's live not for rewards but for love. Let's serve not for repayment but in gratitude. And let's trust in God's goodness, mercy, and grace, knowing that while He owes us nothing, He has given us everything.

God bless you all as you contemplate this profound truth this week. Remember, God owes you nothing, but He loves you beyond measure. Amen.