Giving God His Due

[mominbolt]

Have you ever had a labor of love treated with indifference? It happened years ago, but I still painfully remember not being duly recognized in a timely manner for going beyond the call of duty in directing a Daily Vacation Bible School in my home church.

With almost no funds allotted for DVBS expensers, I took it upon myself to write the lessons and come up with ideas for handcrafts. With no one else to call on, I also conducted all the opening assemblies. At recess I was on hand helping with games and serving Kool-Aid and cookies. With commencement in view, I made out certificates for each of the 40 students and their teachers and helpers.

Happily, during the commencement program everyone was given his ot her proper due; that is, everyone but me. The service came and went without a word of thanks or a single expression of appeciation from those who should have done so. A belated thank-you card and gift of cloth (at thispoint I was too tired to even think of making myself a dress) given to me on the side did little to revive my drooping spirits.

If you know the feeling of being overlooked, or, for that matter, of being guilty of overlooking the kind gestures of others, I think you'll agree there is much to be said for giving others their proper due. With this in mind, I also think you'll see the importance of giving our heavenly Father, who is the source of everything good, the honor and respect He deserves.

How then , can we give God his due? A long enduring question and answer in Christian instruction treating this subject goes:

Question: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Hom forever.

Surely, we fall short of our highest purpose when we fail to take pleasure in honoring God and His holy Word.

Never be guilty of treating God's undying labors of love with indifference. At the same time, remember that one way to glorify God is to respond positively to the kind gestures of others, especially to those who serve in Christian ministry.

 

-----Betty Spence

[mamadita]

Feb. 4, 2009 at 6:50 PM

[MomaNana2008]

Feb. 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM

I wasn't going to say this but changed My mind.  You should never take on a "giving" project that You expect praise for (that is more political minded).  Matthew 6: 1-4 says it all, Don't blow a trumpet ahead of Yourself when giving gifts of mercy-not letting Your right hand know what Your left hand is doing, etc. because God wil reward You if You are humble. That is a difficult lesson because our culture of Church-going almost requires people to blow the trumpet for funding monies (non-profit status) and there are jokes made about how people look for fashion at church.  There are many that are not spiritual religious-they are political religious-it is hard to be spiritual.////

[kymbernv]

Feb. 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM

Awesome post, thanks for sharing! I think I needed to hear that today :o)

[hinson7169]

Feb. 4, 2009 at 8:56 PM

great post sister

[LetsRoll]

Feb. 5, 2009 at 10:53 AM

[moomers]

Feb. 5, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Do you know the lady that wrote this article?I'm not sure she is sending the proper message.I get what she is saying but a few parts bothered me.LOL

[RettsMom]

Feb. 5, 2009 at 5:07 PM

Although I agree with the message that reminds us to be appreciative of both God and man, I do not agree that we should expect it.  Selfish expectations lead to selfish disappointments.  However, if you do all things as if unto the Lord, that is reward in itself and requires no personal adoration from others.  Blessings~

[tearsao5jboys]

Feb. 8, 2009 at 5:54 PM

i agree but we all been there but we will get our reword letter