God Owes You Nothing

[Major]

One of the greatest and false teachings in the Christian faith today is that......"God Owes You"!

In some denominations of Christianity, it is taught by the process of" Name It And Claim It", that because they gave something to the church or charity, that God is now under obligation to give them something particular back, or to make them rich, or bless them in some way, or heal them from sickness and pain.

There is not a worse theological lie propagated than this one.

Those who teach this lie forget/ignore what King David said in 1 Chronicles 29:14, that whatever we “give” God comes from out of His own hand; from what He had given us already.

No matter how much we give, God doesn’t “owe” us anything!

The same is true for our deeds. Whatever we may do for God, He doesn’t “owe” us attention, or blessing, or anything else. If we spend all of our time and days for Him, it comes from the life and strength He has given us anyway, and is only what we ought to give Him.

Sadly, and I do not know how long this has been going on, but it seems that if a man/woman is successful, in life, one might begin to congratulate themselves, perhaps separating themselves from other perceived less-distinguished Christians who are not so successful in their discipleship.
In country boy English that means someone who is blessed with "stuff" starts to think that they are so close to God that He has given them all of their stuff, and those who are not successful are not as close to God they are. In other words, God loves me more that you. See....look at all my stuff!!!

This irony is common in churches today—believers growing proud of their perceived humility and sanctification and have fallen into the trap that they are somebody instead of realizing that they are slaves.

That folks is exactly what Jesus condemned the Pharisees for!

Food For Thought For Your Day.

Although we as Christians are Christ’s slaves, at His glorious return He will indeed serve us at the great heavenly banquet as seen in Luke 12:37!
But this is the result of His grace, not because we deserve the Almighty Savior’s service. Never, either in this world or in heaven, could Christians ever merit anything from God other than His wrath. We know that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11; cf. 1:52; 18:14; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). So God is never in our debt; He owes us nothing, even if we die a slow painful death for our faithfulness in service to Him. God created us to glorify Him, not the other way around. Yet, God will be glorified in glorifying His people when Christ returns and for eternity thereafter! Until then, may we all offer God faithful service expecting nothing in return.

The bottom line is: you & I may have people who owe us something — but God reminds us here in Job 41:11 that He is not one of them!

 

[In Awe of Him]

Preach it brother.... PREACH IT!!!!!

There is so much I could say about this... but.... I don't want to get my wool in a tangle.... so I will just sit on the side lines. GOOD stuff Major !!!!!!!!

 

[bobinfaith]

Good morning, Major;

God owes us nothing and we owe Him everything. When we desire to thank Him each and everyday for everything He gives abundantly, we begin to understand.

Those who "name it and claim it," well, what does God say, first? They fail to understand.

God bless you, Major.

Bob

 

[BibleLover]

One of the greatest and false teachings in the Christian faith today is that......"God Owes You"!

In some denominations of Christianity, it is taught by the process of" Name It And Claim It", that because they gave something to the church or charity, that God is now under obligation to give them something particular back, or to make them rich, or bless them in some way, or heal them from sickness and pain.

There is not a worse theological lie propagated than this one.

Those who teach this lie forget/ignore what King David said in 1 Chronicles 29:14, that whatever we “give” God comes from out of His own hand; from what He had given us already.

No matter how much we give, God doesn’t “owe” us anything!

The same is true for our deeds. Whatever we may do for God, He doesn’t “owe” us attention, or blessing, or anything else. If we spend all of our time and days for Him, it comes from the life and strength He has given us anyway, and is only what we ought to give Him.

Sadly, and I do not know how long this has been going on, but it seems that if a man/woman is successful, in life, one might begin to congratulate themselves, perhaps separating themselves from other perceived less-distinguished Christians who are not so successful in their discipleship.
In country boy English that means someone who is blessed with "stuff" starts to think that they are so close to God that He has given them all of their stuff, and those who are not successful are not as close to God they are. In other words, God loves me more that you. See....look at all my stuff!!!

This irony is common in churches today—believers growing proud of their perceived humility and sanctification and have fallen into the trap that they are somebody instead of realizing that they are slaves.

That folks is exactly what Jesus condemned the Pharisees for!

Food For Thought For Your Day.

Although we as Christians are Christ’s slaves, at His glorious return He will indeed serve us at the great heavenly banquet as seen in Luke 12:37!
But this is the result of His grace, not because we deserve the Almighty Savior’s service. Never, either in this world or in heaven, could Christians ever merit anything from God other than His wrath. We know that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11; cf. 1:52; 18:14; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). So God is never in our debt; He owes us nothing, even if we die a slow painful death for our faithfulness in service to Him. God created us to glorify Him, not the other way around. Yet, God will be glorified in glorifying His people when Christ returns and for eternity thereafter! Until then, may we all offer God faithful service expecting nothing in return.

The bottom line is: you & I may have people who owe us something — but God reminds us here in Job 41:11 that He is not one of them!

You've brought up one of the worst heresies in the history of the Church. The name it and claim teachers believe they can treat God like a magic genie who can be manipulated to become a source of satisfying our worldly lusts (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life). These false teachers are going to face severe judgment for leading multitudes along the broad road of destruction.

The truth is that we owe God EVERTHING. He is responsible for sustaining the existence of EVERYTHING in the universe. One of the most profound lessons God has taught me is that I own absolutely nothing, even my life! He provides everything I need and "loans" me the material possessions, whether food, shelter, or wealth, and in exchange I am to use these things to bring Him glory.

Thanks for this thread, brother. God bless you.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

This is a powerful lesson. I often have difficulty understanding this.

 

[Major]

You've brought up one of the worst heresies in the history of the Church. The name it and claim teachers believe they can treat God like a magic genie who can be manipulated to become a source of satisfying our worldly lusts (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life). These false teachers are going to face severe judgment for leading multitudes along the broad road of destruction.

The truth is that we owe God EVERTHING. He is responsible for sustaining the existence of EVERYTHING in the universe. One of the most profound lessons God has taught me is that I own absolutely nothing, even my life! He provides everything I need and "loans" me the material possessions, whether food, shelter, or wealth, and in exchange I am to use these things to bring Him glory.

Thanks for this thread, brother. God bless you.

We are and always have been on the same page brother.

It saddens me to no end to see what is taking place right in front of us.

While there are many different versions of the name it and claim it philosophy preached today, they all have similar characteristics. At its best, this teaching comes from the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of some Scriptures, and, at its worst, it is a completely heretical teaching that has the characteristics of cultic doctrine.

Instead of us creating our reality with our thoughts, as new age proponents advise, name it and claim it teachers tell us that we can use the “power of faith” to create our own reality or get what we want. In essence, faith is redefined from “a trust in a holy and sovereign God despite our circumstances” to “a way of controlling God to give us what we want.” They believe and teach that Faith becomes a force whereby we can get what we want rather than an abiding trust in God even during times of trials and suffering.

 

[Major]

This is a powerful lesson. I often have difficulty understanding this.

Consider that whether it is the power of positive thinking or the prosperity gospel, the premise is the same—what you think or believe will happen is ultimately what controls what will happen. If you think negative thoughts or are lacking in faith, you will suffer or not get what you want. But on the other hand if you think positive thoughts or just have “enough faith,” then you can have health, wealth, and happiness now.

Now, when you follow this to its natural conclusion, what is being sold is "Faith in Faith" or......The Force we saw in Star Wars.
This false teaching appeals to one of man’s most basic instincts, which is one reason why it is hugely popular.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

I often return to this passage:

And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Jesus, knowing he was to be crucified and suffer horribly, asked God to spare him if possible, but nonetheless accepted God's will, suffered and died as he was instructed to do.

If Jesus, God's own son, was not spared suffering, why would any of us think God owed us a safe and pleasant life? That's just not how it works.

Luke 22:41-42 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke22:41-42&version=ESV

 

[crossnote]

Although we as Christians are Christ’s slaves, at His glorious return He will indeed serve us at the great heavenly banquet as seen in Luke 12:37!

As I was reading your post Major, that passage was going through my mind, found here...

Luke 17:7-10 NKJV
And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? [8] But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? [9] Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. [10] So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"

 

[Major]

As I was reading your post Major, that passage was going through my mind, found here...

Luke 17:7-10 NKJV
And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? [8] But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? [9] Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. [10] So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"

Amen.

 

[Major]

I often return to this passage:

And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Jesus, knowing he was to be crucified and suffer horribly, asked God to spare him if possible, but nonetheless accepted God's will, suffered and died as he was instructed to do.

If Jesus, God's own son, was not spared suffering, why would any of us think God owed us a safe and pleasant life? That's just not how it works.

Luke 22:41-42 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke22:41-42&version=ESV

Amen.

The central idea of what I am saying has many names.....“health and wealth gospel” or “name it and claim it” as well as Word of Faith" theology.

Since I first saw this happening, I have wondered who so many people would fall such a ridiculous teaching.

Then the more I worked at it and the more I learned, I began to realize that this false teaching has its roots in Eastern philosophies, metaphysical traditions, and the emerging fields of psychology and self-help. Some will say that is New Age philosophy and IMHO that is correct. While not explicitly Christian, it was influenced by Christian ideas as a basis of understanding and grows out of the belief that the mind has the power to heal the body and attract prosperity.

There are many now who teach this heresy, but when you go backwards to who was the one who 1st brought it to prominence was Oral Roberts. He learned the power of TV and used it wisely.

While Roberts was one of the first to combine New Thought principles with faith healing, the most prominent evangelist of the prosperity gospel—and the father of the Word of Faith movement—was Kenneth E. Hagin.

These two men articulated the seed-faith concept using a threefold model:
(1) plant a seed: give something as your seed to a ministry;
(2) expect a miracle: have faith your act of giving will trigger divine intervention;
(3) harvest the miracle: receive the divine blessings in a manifold manner, often expected to be in material or financial forms.

Now a little trivia. A man by the name of Kenneth Copeland was Oral Roberts "Chauffer and pilot of his air plane".

It is from that trinity that we see all the others who have followed and bought into this heresy, not to propagate the gospel or to save souls.......but to become rich at the expense of those who do not actually read the bible and are easily manipulated.

 

[Major]

You've brought up one of the worst heresies in the history of the Church. The name it and claim teachers believe they can treat God like a magic genie who can be manipulated to become a source of satisfying our worldly lusts (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life). These false teachers are going to face severe judgment for leading multitudes along the broad road of destruction.

The truth is that we owe God EVERTHING. He is responsible for sustaining the existence of EVERYTHING in the universe. One of the most profound lessons God has taught me is that I own absolutely nothing, even my life! He provides everything I need and "loans" me the material possessions, whether food, shelter, or wealth, and in exchange I am to use these things to bring Him glory.

Thanks for this thread, brother. God bless you.

Lets talk a minute about facts.

A 2023 from Lifeway Reasearch which is an arm of the Southern Baptist denomination did a survey and found that in more than half, 52% of American Protestant churchgoers say their church teaches that God will bless them if they give more money to their church and charities.

That same survey found that with one in four, 24 % strongly agreeing with this teaching.

In a Pew" survey in 2017 study, only 38 % of churchgoers made that same claim.

Now these figures are facts that were accumulated through surveys and are not opinions.

From Lifeway Research........
Churchgoers are more likely today than in 2017 to believe God wants them to prosper financially - 76 percent vs. 69 percent.
Churchgoers believe that they have to do something for God in order to receive material blessings from him (45 percent vs. 26 percent). Churchgoers (76%) three in four churchgoers, believe God wants them to prosper financially.
Churchgoers, of that 76%.........43 % who strongly agree.
Churchgoers, 45 % believe they have to do something for God in order to receive material blessings from God.

Again.....one has to wonder WHY do people fall this stuff?

I may be wrong, but I may be right. IMHO it comes down to Desperation.

I saw this in my grandfather 60 years ago. He came from Alabama, Poor, uneducated, could not read or right and was actually rather a simple man, but a good man. Then one day he saw Oral Roberts on TV. Because he was poor, my grandmother sick with cancer, he was desperate.

When you or someone close to you is dying or suffering, it’s natural to want to help in whatever way we can. Or, when finances become so strapped that you or a person close to you is in anguish, there is a desire to alleviate the suffering. So if a televangelist comes on television promising that God wants to heal and financially bless individuals, but God requires a gift first—care of the ministry of course; desperate people begin to grasp at straws and take desperate measures. That is exactly what he did. He did not go to church and he did not read the Bible but he believed every word Oral Roberts said and he began to send him $1.00 every month.

It became a sort of heavenly lottery and played on his natural greed as well. In desperation, he gave to Roberts ministry, not to spread the gospel, or save sinners or feed the poor but in order to get their invisible lottery ticket and “expect a miracle” which he never got!

 

[bobinfaith]

Lets talk a minute about facts. A 2023 from Lifeway Reasearch which is an arm of the Southern Baptist denomination did a survey and found that in more than half, 52% of American Protestant churchgoers say their church teaches that God will bless them if they give more money to their church and charities. That same survey found that with one in four, 24 % strongly agreeing with this teaching.
Again.....one has to wonder WHY do people fall this stuff? I may be wrong, but I may be right. IMHO it comes down to Desperation.

Good morning, Major;

The survey taken that 24% or more strongly agree with this teaching, and why do people fall for this stuff?

A lot of it has to do with poor teaching and preaching from the pulpit and Church leaders. Christians look to their leaders to teach correctly the Word of God but many have failed. When the teaching fails then the Christian's application fails, thus relying on short cuts, or "name and claim it" sets in. Your honest opinion of desperation is correct in many ways.

What can we do about it? Well, in our prayers and gained knowledge of the Bible we can come to grips that God owes us nothing. His mercies, forgiveness and grace were not owed to us.

To quote / paraphrase author Pastor Jeff Vanderstelt of Gospel Fluency, "by learning to believe who God says we are, trust in what He's done to make us who we are and as a result, do what He commands" is a good start.

But we are always finding ways around God without seeking first His Kingdom and Righteousness, thus all those things are not added.

God bless you, brother.

Bob

 

[Major]

Good morning, Major;

The survey taken that 24% or more strongly agree with this teaching, and why do people fall for this stuff?

A lot of it has to do with poor teaching and preaching from the pulpit and Church leaders. Christians look to their leaders to teach correctly the Word of God but many have failed. When the teaching fails then the Christian's application fails, thus relying on short cuts, or "name and claim it" sets in. Your honest opinion of desperation is correct in many ways.

What can we do about it? Well, in our prayers and gained knowledge of the Bible we can come to grips that God owes us nothing. His mercies, forgiveness and grace were not owed to us.

To quote / paraphrase author Pastor Jeff Vanderstelt of Gospel Fluency, "by learning to believe who God says we are, trust in what He's done to make us who we are and as a result, do what He commands" is a good start.

But we are always finding ways around God without seeking first His Kingdom and Righteousness, thus all those things are not added.

God bless you, brother.

Bob

You said..............
"A lot of it has to do with poor teaching and preaching from the pulpit and Church leaders. "

I say that "All" of it lies at the foot of church leaders and false preachers.

 

[bobinfaith]

You said..............
"A lot of it has to do with poor teaching and preaching from the pulpit and Church leaders. "

I say that "All" of it lies at the foot of church leaders and false preachers.

Yes, that too!!

 

[In Awe of Him]

Again.....one has to wonder WHY do people fall this stuff?

I STILL do wonder that!!! I don't UNDERSTAND.

As sick as I was... I NEVER EVER desired that VENDING machine JESUS. It has ALWAYS offended me... and perhaps that is because I have SUFFERED so much agony in my life. I always KNEW that GOD needed to be more COMPLEX than GIMME GIMME.

This is a BRILLIANT thread... and I could say more... but I have to stay away... as this doctrine ANGERS me like I cannot even EXPRESS....

I will take my pom poms... and go sit in the corner and CHEER!! HAHA

 

[BibleLover]

Lets talk a minute about facts.

A 2023 from Lifeway Reasearch which is an arm of the Southern Baptist denomination did a survey and found that in more than half, 52% of American Protestant churchgoers say their church teaches that God will bless them if they give more money to their church and charities.

That same survey found that with one in four, 24 % strongly agreeing with this teaching.

In a Pew" survey in 2017 study, only 38 % of churchgoers made that same claim.

Now these figures are facts that were accumulated through surveys and are not opinions.

From Lifeway Research........
Churchgoers are more likely today than in 2017 to believe God wants them to prosper financially - 76 percent vs. 69 percent.
Churchgoers believe that they have to do something for God in order to receive material blessings from him (45 percent vs. 26 percent). Churchgoers (76%) three in four churchgoers, believe God wants them to prosper financially.
Churchgoers, of that 76%.........43 % who strongly agree.
Churchgoers, 45 % believe they have to do something for God in order to receive material blessings from God.

Again.....one has to wonder WHY do people fall this stuff?

I may be wrong, but I may be right. IMHO it comes down to Desperation.

I saw this in my grandfather 60 years ago. He came from Alabama, Poor, uneducated, could not read or right and was actually rather a simple man, but a good man. Then one day he saw Oral Roberts on TV. Because he was poor, my grandmother sick with cancer, he was desperate.

When you or someone close to you is dying or suffering, it’s natural to want to help in whatever way we can. Or, when finances become so strapped that you or a person close to you is in anguish, there is a desire to alleviate the suffering. So if a televangelist comes on television promising that God wants to heal and financially bless individuals, but God requires a gift first—care of the ministry of course; desperate people begin to grasp at straws and take desperate measures. That is exactly what he did. He did not go to church and he did not read the Bible but he believed every word Oral Roberts said and he began to send him $1.00 every month.

It became a sort of heavenly lottery and played on his natural greed as well. In desperation, he gave to Roberts ministry, not to spread the gospel, or save sinners or feed the poor but in order to get their invisible lottery ticket and “expect a miracle” which he never got!

Major, those figures are unsettling. I think they might be exposing a weakness in our churches--an abysmal ignorance of doctrine and Scriptural truth by the parishioners.

I agree completely with what you've said. This situation cries out for the need of revival in this country.

Bless ya bro.

 

[bobinfaith]

Major, those figures are unsettling. I think they might be exposing a weakness in our churches--an abysmal ignorance of doctrine and Scriptural truth by the parishioners. I agree completely with what you've said. This situation cries out for the need of revival in this country.
Bless ya bro.

Hello BibleLover;

Keeping in mind there are many anointed preachers and teachers. It's the ones that slipped through the cracks and I agree our serious need for revival all over.

God bless you, brother.

Bob

 

[Major]

Major, those figures are unsettling. I think they might be exposing a weakness in our churches--an abysmal ignorance of doctrine and Scriptural truth by the parishioners.

I agree completely with what you've said. This situation cries out for the need of revival in this country.

Bless ya bro.

Amen!

Are you thinking that there will be a revival before the Rapture?

 

[Major]

I STILL do wonder that!!! I don't UNDERSTAND.

As sick as I was... I NEVER EVER desired that VENDING machine JESUS. It has ALWAYS offended me... and perhaps that is because I have SUFFERED so much agony in my life. I always KNEW that GOD needed to be more COMPLEX than GIMME GIMME.

This is a BRILLIANT thread... and I could say more... but I have to stay away... as this doctrine ANGERS me like I cannot even EXPRESS....

I will take my pom poms... and go sit in the corner and CHEER!! HAHA

Sister....anger is not a sin. Anger is something we all feel at times. It can come from frustration, hurt, or unfair situations. But what we do with that anger is very important.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19