Does God Owe You?

[music] [music] >> So, you do something nice for someone. >> So, you do something nice for someone. >> So, you do something nice for someone. You invite a struggling neighbor over You invite a struggling neighbor over You invite a struggling neighbor over for dinner. You take a friend out for for dinner. You take a friend out for for dinner. You take a friend out for coffee who you know is suffering. coffee who you know is suffering. coffee who you know is suffering. You give a family at church some money You give a family at church some money You give a family at church some money to get through a rough season. to get through a rough season. to get through a rough season. You help someone. You help someone. You help someone. And in the back of your mind you wonder, And in the back of your mind you wonder, And in the back of your mind you wonder, am I doing this because I'm a good am I doing this because I'm a good am I doing this because I'm a good person? person? person? Or am I doing this because I want God to Or am I doing this because I want God to Or am I doing this because I want God to reward me for it later? reward me for it later? reward me for it later? And if I'm doing it for a future reward, And if I'm doing it for a future reward, And if I'm doing it for a future reward, then in the moment it can all feel very then in the moment it can all feel very then in the moment it can all feel very transactional, right? Like we're engaged transactional, right? Like we're engaged transactional, right? Like we're engaged in an under-the-table deal with God that in an under-the-table deal with God that in an under-the-table deal with God that the person we serve doesn't know about. the person we serve doesn't know about. the person we serve doesn't know about. Today on Ask Pastor John, does God owe Today on Ask Pastor John, does God owe Today on Ask Pastor John, does God owe you? you? you? This important question comes from an This important question comes from an This important question comes from an anonymous listener to the podcast who anonymous listener to the podcast who anonymous listener to the podcast who writes this, "Pastor John, thank you for writes this, "Pastor John, thank you for writes this, "Pastor John, thank you for your ministry and for this podcast your ministry and for this podcast your ministry and for this podcast avenue to ask questions. I have one for avenue to ask questions. I have one for avenue to ask questions. I have one for you. you. you. You have famously built your theology on You have famously built your theology on You have famously built your theology on the idea that Jesus entices us with the idea that Jesus entices us with the idea that Jesus entices us with rewards to sustain our love, rewards to sustain our love, rewards to sustain our love, specifically in Luke 14:14, specifically in Luke 14:14, specifically in Luke 14:14, which we read tomorrow, where Jesus which we read tomorrow, where Jesus which we read tomorrow, where Jesus promises that we will be repaid in the promises that we will be repaid in the promises that we will be repaid in the kingdom for inviting the poor to our kingdom for inviting the poor to our kingdom for inviting the poor to our banquets in this life.

banquets in this life. banquets in this life. This very incentive motivates the This very incentive motivates the This very incentive motivates the kindness. kindness. kindness. Yet you also fiercely oppose what you Yet you also fiercely oppose what you Yet you also fiercely oppose what you call the debtor's ethic, call the debtor's ethic, call the debtor's ethic, using Romans 4:4 to argue that any wage using Romans 4:4 to argue that any wage using Romans 4:4 to argue that any wage reckoned as his due reckoned as his due reckoned as his due nullifies grace. nullifies grace. nullifies grace. So, here's the challenge that I see. If So, here's the challenge that I see. If So, here's the challenge that I see. If I feed the poor because I'm pursuing a I feed the poor because I'm pursuing a I feed the poor because I'm pursuing a future payout from God, have I not future payout from God, have I not future payout from God, have I not operationalized this into a business operationalized this into a business operationalized this into a business transaction of grace? transaction of grace? transaction of grace? If the promise of repayment is the If the promise of repayment is the If the promise of repayment is the sustaining power of the act, doesn't the sustaining power of the act, doesn't the sustaining power of the act, doesn't the poor man become a mere tool to my reward poor man become a mere tool to my reward poor man become a mere tool to my reward rather than an object of my love? rather than an object of my love? rather than an object of my love? How can seeking a divine repayment be How can seeking a divine repayment be How can seeking a divine repayment be anything other than working anything other than working anything other than working for a wage? for a wage? for a wage? >> This is a really important question. >> This is a really important question. >> This is a really important question. Just a A days ago, I was discussing this Just a A days ago, I was discussing this Just a A days ago, I was discussing this very question with Doudoune Etomefu, very question with Doudoune Etomefu, very question with Doudoune Etomefu, a friend from Cameroon. a friend from Cameroon. a friend from Cameroon. As we sat in Olive Garden, sipping As we sat in Olive Garden, sipping As we sat in Olive Garden, sipping [laughter] our soup and eating [laughter] our soup and eating [laughter] our soup and eating breadsticks, which is one of the reasons breadsticks, which is one of the reasons breadsticks, which is one of the reasons I go to Olive Garden, the bread.

I go to Olive Garden, the bread. I go to Olive Garden, the bread. And the way we were posing the question And the way we were posing the question And the way we were posing the question was, was, was, well, if it is wrong to speak of earning well, if it is wrong to speak of earning well, if it is wrong to speak of earning rewards from God, and I think it is rewards from God, and I think it is rewards from God, and I think it is wrong to use the word earn wrong to use the word earn wrong to use the word earn in relation to God, in relation to God, in relation to God, how do you describe the correlation how do you describe the correlation how do you describe the correlation between our obedience between our obedience between our obedience and the rewards we receive for it, if if and the rewards we receive for it, if if and the rewards we receive for it, if if not earning? not earning? not earning? >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> It's the It's the same question that our >> It's the It's the same question that our >> It's the It's the same question that our friend is asking when he says, friend is asking when he says, friend is asking when he says, or she, I'm not sure who's asking the or she, I'm not sure who's asking the or she, I'm not sure who's asking the question, how can seeking a divine question, how can seeking a divine question, how can seeking a divine repayment repayment repayment be anything other than working for a be anything other than working for a be anything other than working for a wage? wage? wage? That's the key question. Now, here's the That's the key question. Now, here's the That's the key question. Now, here's the problem. Jesus says in Luke 14:14, problem. Jesus says in Luke 14:14, problem. Jesus says in Luke 14:14, "When you give a feast, invite the poor, "When you give a feast, invite the poor, "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and the crippled, the lame, the blind, and the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot you will be blessed because they cannot you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. repay you. repay you. For you will be repaid at the For you will be repaid at the For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

resurrection of the just." resurrection of the just." And the word repaid there is a word that And the word repaid there is a word that And the word repaid there is a word that certainly can be used for earning wages. certainly can be used for earning wages. certainly can be used for earning wages. It can be. It can be. It can be. So, it looks like our obedience to So, it looks like our obedience to So, it looks like our obedience to Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, uh to bless the poor with our feasts, uh to bless the poor with our feasts, uh to bless the poor with our feasts, is a way of earning his payback, earning is a way of earning his payback, earning is a way of earning his payback, earning a wage. a wage. a wage. But, catch, But, catch, But, catch, the very same word for payback, the very same word for payback, the very same word for payback, antapodothesetai, antapodothesetai, antapodothesetai, is used in Romans 13, I mean, uh Romans is used in Romans 13, I mean, uh Romans is used in Romans 13, I mean, uh Romans 11, verse 35, like this, "Who has given 11, verse 35, like this, "Who has given 11, verse 35, like this, "Who has given a gift to God that he might be repaid? a gift to God that he might be repaid? a gift to God that he might be repaid? Exact same Exact same Exact same word and form of the word. And the word and form of the word. And the word and form of the word. And the implied answer, of course, is nobody. implied answer, of course, is nobody. implied answer, of course, is nobody. Nobody has given a gift to God that he Nobody has given a gift to God that he Nobody has given a gift to God that he might be repaid. For from him and might be repaid. For from him and might be repaid. For from him and through him and to him are all things. through him and to him are all things. through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. In other words, it is a fundamental In other words, it is a fundamental In other words, it is a fundamental biblical truth biblical truth biblical truth that the only thing we can give to God that the only thing we can give to God that the only thing we can give to God is what he already owns.

is what he already owns. is what he already owns. Here's the way the way David prays in 1 Here's the way the way David prays in 1 Here's the way the way David prays in 1 Chronicles 29:14. Chronicles 29:14. Chronicles 29:14. "Who am I and what is my people that we "Who am I and what is my people that we "Who am I and what is my people that we should be able thus to offer willingly? should be able thus to offer willingly? should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, oh God, For all things come from you, oh God, For all things come from you, oh God, and of your own have we given you." and of your own have we given you." and of your own have we given you." So here here's the way So here here's the way So here here's the way God himself puts it. And this is what God himself puts it. And this is what God himself puts it. And this is what Paul is quoting in in Romans 11. Paul is quoting in in Romans 11. Paul is quoting in in Romans 11. God himself in Job 41:11 says, God himself in Job 41:11 says, God himself in Job 41:11 says, "Who has first given to me that I should "Who has first given to me that I should "Who has first given to me that I should repay him?" repay him?" repay him?" Nobody. "Whatever is under the whole Nobody. "Whatever is under the whole Nobody. "Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine." heaven is mine." heaven is mine." So Paul says the same thing again in So Paul says the same thing again in So Paul says the same thing again in Acts 17:25. Acts 17:25. Acts 17:25. "God is not served by human hands as "God is not served by human hands as "God is not served by human hands as though he needed anything, since he though he needed anything, since he though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and himself gives to all mankind life and himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."

breath and everything." breath and everything." In other words, In other words, In other words, we can't give God anything that is not we can't give God anything that is not we can't give God anything that is not already his. And so you can't put him in already his. And so you can't put him in already his. And so you can't put him in your debt your debt your debt by supplying some need. by supplying some need. by supplying some need. But that's what wages are. But that's what wages are. But that's what wages are. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> That's wages are. They are paying a >> That's wages are. They are paying a >> That's wages are. They are paying a worker worker worker what you owe him because he supplied you what you owe him because he supplied you what you owe him because he supplied you with a service that you needed and now with a service that you needed and now with a service that you needed and now you are in his debt to pay him. That's you are in his debt to pay him. That's you are in his debt to pay him. That's what justice demands. We can never do what justice demands. We can never do what justice demands. We can never do that to God. that to God. that to God. Who has given a gift to him that he Who has given a gift to him that he Who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? Paul says, "Nobody." might be repaid? Paul says, "Nobody." might be repaid? Paul says, "Nobody." What do you have that you did not What do you have that you did not What do you have that you did not receive? he asks. If you did not receive receive? he asks. If you did not receive receive? he asks. If you did not receive it, why do you boast as though it were it, why do you boast as though it were it, why do you boast as though it were not a gift? not a gift? not a gift? First Corinthians 4:7. First Corinthians 4:7. First Corinthians 4:7. But someone might say, But someone might say, But someone might say, "Well, yes, uh you you can't give to God "Well, yes, uh you you can't give to God "Well, yes, uh you you can't give to God anything that is not already his.

anything that is not already his. anything that is not already his. But the giving itself, the act of But the giving itself, the act of But the giving itself, the act of giving, giving, giving, might be the service that he pays back might be the service that he pays back might be the service that he pays back with a wage. Maybe that's it." But that with a wage. Maybe that's it." But that with a wage. Maybe that's it." But that doesn't work. doesn't work. doesn't work. Because even the act of our serving or Because even the act of our serving or Because even the act of our serving or giving giving giving is a gift of God's grace. This is really is a gift of God's grace. This is really is a gift of God's grace. This is really clear in 1 Corinthians 15:10. clear in 1 Corinthians 15:10. clear in 1 Corinthians 15:10. By the grace of God I am what I am. By the grace of God I am what I am. By the grace of God I am what I am. And his grace toward me was not in vain. And his grace toward me was not in vain. And his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, On the contrary, On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them. I worked harder than any of them. I worked harder than any of them. And then he adds this, And then he adds this, And then he adds this, though it was not I, though it was not I, though it was not I, but the grace of God that was with me. but the grace of God that was with me. but the grace of God that was with me. So Paul is saying So Paul is saying So Paul is saying that after we are justified by grace that after we are justified by grace that after we are justified by grace alone through faith alone, even our alone through faith alone, even our alone through faith alone, even our obedience, our act, our giving, our obedience, our act, our giving, our obedience, our act, our giving, our serving serving serving is a gift of God's grace, a working of is a gift of God's grace, a working of is a gift of God's grace, a working of God's grace. It was not I, God's grace. It was not I, God's grace. It was not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

but the grace of God that was with me. but the grace of God that was with me. That's what was decisive in enabling me That's what was decisive in enabling me That's what was decisive in enabling me to do what I ought to do. This is what to do what I ought to do. This is what to do what I ought to do. This is what he says again in Philippians 2:13, "Work he says again in Philippians 2:13, "Work he says again in Philippians 2:13, "Work out your salvation out your salvation out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it's God with fear and trembling, for it's God with fear and trembling, for it's God who's at work in you who's at work in you who's at work in you both to will, that's the key, will, and both to will, that's the key, will, and both to will, that's the key, will, and to work for his good pleasure." to work for his good pleasure." to work for his good pleasure." So, So, So, our working our working our working is first is first is first the working of God. He works through our the working of God. He works through our the working of God. He works through our working. working. working. We work by his working. We work by his working. We work by his working. This is what Hebrews 13:21 says, "Now This is what Hebrews 13:21 says, "Now This is what Hebrews 13:21 says, "Now may the God of peace equip you with may the God of peace equip you with may the God of peace equip you with everything good that you may do his everything good that you may do his everything good that you may do his will, will, will, working in us working in us working in us that which is pleasing that which is pleasing that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to in his sight through Jesus Christ, to in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory." Of course to him be whom be glory." Of course to him be whom be glory." Of course to him be glory. He gets the glory because he glory. He gets the glory because he glory. He gets the glory because he worked it in us forever and ever. Amen. worked it in us forever and ever. Amen. worked it in us forever and ever. Amen. And all this was prophesied in Ezekiel And all this was prophesied in Ezekiel And all this was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:27. It's part of the the new covenant 36:27. It's part of the the new covenant 36:27. It's part of the the new covenant framework in which we live framework in which we live framework in which we live that our obedience was bought with the that our obedience was bought with the that our obedience was bought with the blood of Jesus. "I will put my spirit blood of Jesus. "I will put my spirit blood of Jesus. "I will put my spirit within you, within you, within you, and I will cause you to walk in my and I will cause you to walk in my and I will cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful statutes and be careful statutes and be careful to obey to obey to obey my rules." So, the point of all those my rules." So, the point of all those my rules." So, the point of all those texts texts texts is that even the giving of our service

is that even the giving of our service is that even the giving of our service to God to God to God is a gift from God. is a gift from God. is a gift from God. God causes us to walk in paths of God causes us to walk in paths of God causes us to walk in paths of obedience for his name's sake. He works obedience for his name's sake. He works obedience for his name's sake. He works it in us. Our willing is owing to his it in us. Our willing is owing to his it in us. Our willing is owing to his willing. Our working is owing to his willing. Our working is owing to his willing. Our working is owing to his grace. So, we cannot grace. So, we cannot grace. So, we cannot put God in our debt. put God in our debt. put God in our debt. We can't give to him what he doesn't We can't give to him what he doesn't We can't give to him what he doesn't have, and we can't offer him service have, and we can't offer him service have, and we can't offer him service that he does not provide first. that he does not provide first. that he does not provide first. Like 1 Peter 4:11 says, we serve in the Like 1 Peter 4:11 says, we serve in the Like 1 Peter 4:11 says, we serve in the strength strength strength that God himself supplies. that God himself supplies. that God himself supplies. So, we can't earn anything from God So, we can't earn anything from God So, we can't earn anything from God because earn means because earn means because earn means that we supply a labor that we supply a labor that we supply a labor or a service or a product or a service or a product or a service or a product that that that put someone in our debt so that they owe put someone in our debt so that they owe put someone in our debt so that they owe us. us. us. But, we can never put God in our debt.

But, we can never put God in our debt. But, we can never put God in our debt. He never owes us anything. He never owes us anything. He never owes us anything. So, all his gifts and all his rewards So, all his gifts and all his rewards So, all his gifts and all his rewards are undeserved are undeserved are undeserved grace. grace. grace. So, then the question is, okay, So, then the question is, okay, So, then the question is, okay, what then is the correlation? what then is the correlation? what then is the correlation? That's what we were discussing at the That's what we were discussing at the That's what we were discussing at the Olive Garden thing. What is the corre- Olive Garden thing. What is the corre- Olive Garden thing. What is the corre- What is the correlation between our What is the correlation between our What is the correlation between our obedience to Christ and our rewards from obedience to Christ and our rewards from obedience to Christ and our rewards from Christ? Christ? Christ? God clearly rewards obedience. God clearly rewards obedience. God clearly rewards obedience. Inescapable. He rewards and he rewards Inescapable. He rewards and he rewards Inescapable. He rewards and he rewards proportionately. proportionately. proportionately. They can even sometimes be called wages. They can even sometimes be called wages. They can even sometimes be called wages. They can and repayment because that's They can and repayment because that's They can and repayment because that's what they look like at the human level. what they look like at the human level. what they look like at the human level. But, in reality that's not what they But, in reality that's not what they But, in reality that's not what they are. They're not wages the way humans are. They're not wages the way humans are. They're not wages the way humans earn earn earn wages. Rather, they are wages. Rather, they are wages. Rather, they are This is my answer now. This is my answer now. This is my answer now. God's way of declaring the beauty God's way of declaring the beauty God's way of declaring the beauty of the obedience of faith.

of the obedience of faith. of the obedience of faith. Rewards are God's way of declaring the Rewards are God's way of declaring the Rewards are God's way of declaring the beauty beauty beauty of the obedience of faith. God loves to of the obedience of faith. God loves to of the obedience of faith. God loves to be trusted for his grace and power. be trusted for his grace and power. be trusted for his grace and power. It honors him. It honors him. It honors him. And when we trust him and do what he And when we trust him and do what he And when we trust him and do what he says. says. says. He doesn't get richer. He doesn't get richer. He doesn't get richer. His riches are put on display. His riches are put on display. His riches are put on display. This is the beautiful thing. This is the This is the beautiful thing. This is the This is the beautiful thing. This is the beauty beauty beauty of obedience, the obedience of faith. of obedience, the obedience of faith. of obedience, the obedience of faith. God shows his delight in this beauty, God shows his delight in this beauty, God shows his delight in this beauty, the trusting him in obedience. the trusting him in obedience. the trusting him in obedience. He shows his delight in this beauty by He shows his delight in this beauty by He shows his delight in this beauty by rewarding it. rewarding it. rewarding it. So, the answer to the question is So, the answer to the question is So, the answer to the question is when we are seeking a reward, when we are seeking a reward, when we are seeking a reward, we are not seeking a wage or payback. we are not seeking a wage or payback. we are not seeking a wage or payback. We are seeking the expressions We are seeking the expressions We are seeking the expressions of God's delight in his own grace of God's delight in his own grace of God's delight in his own grace in our lives.

in our lives. in our lives. >> That's a deep conversation over free >> That's a deep conversation over free >> That's a deep conversation over free breadsticks. breadsticks. breadsticks. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> And they were free. >> And they were free. >> And they were free. >> Yeah, God is not indebted to us. >> Yeah, God is not indebted to us. >> Yeah, God is not indebted to us. God isn't an employer. God isn't an employer. God isn't an employer. When we are seeking a reward, we are not When we are seeking a reward, we are not When we are seeking a reward, we are not seeking a wage or payback, seeking a wage or payback, seeking a wage or payback, but the expressions of God's delight in but the expressions of God's delight in but the expressions of God's delight in his own grace in our lives. his own grace in our lives. his own grace in our lives. You're not earning your keep with God. You're not earning your keep with God. You're not earning your keep with God. You're just experiencing his delight in You're just experiencing his delight in You're just experiencing his delight in the work he's already doing inside of the work he's already doing inside of the work he's already doing inside of you. Such a great reminder, Pastor John. you. Such a great reminder, Pastor John. you. Such a great reminder, Pastor John. Thank you. And all of this Thank you. And all of this Thank you. And all of this kind of reminds me of all the time that kind of reminds me of all the time that kind of reminds me of all the time that we've spent looking at how we avoid we've spent looking at how we avoid we've spent looking at how we avoid loving the gifts more than the giver of loving the gifts more than the giver of loving the gifts more than the giver of the gifts. And again, focusing on God's the gifts. And again, focusing on God's the gifts. And again, focusing on God's goodness and all the things that we get goodness and all the things that we get goodness and all the things that we get seeing him in the good things that we seeing him in the good things that we seeing him in the good things that we get. get. get. If that's something you wrestle with, If that's something you wrestle with, If that's something you wrestle with, focusing on God, focusing on God, focusing on God, the giver of all good gifts, and not the giver of all good gifts, and not the giver of all good gifts, and not getting taken by the gifts that he gives getting taken by the gifts that he gives getting taken by the gifts that he gives us, us, us, that is such a common challenge in the that is such a common challenge in the that is such a common challenge in the Christian life. And for more on that, Christian life. And for more on that, Christian life. And for more on that, see pages 96-97 in the Ask Pastor John see pages 96-97 in the Ask Pastor John see pages 96-97 in the Ask Pastor John book.

book. book. I was just reflecting on that the other I was just reflecting on that the other I was just reflecting on that the other day on the story of the 10 lepers. day on the story of the 10 lepers. day on the story of the 10 lepers. Amazing. And speaking of God delighting Amazing. And speaking of God delighting Amazing. And speaking of God delighting to give an abundance of grace, there's a to give an abundance of grace, there's a to give an abundance of grace, there's a story in the Gospels that is so wild. story in the Gospels that is so wild. story in the Gospels that is so wild. It's hard to imagine really. I'm talking It's hard to imagine really. I'm talking It's hard to imagine really. I'm talking about the time when a whole group of about the time when a whole group of about the time when a whole group of people was resurrected from the dead people was resurrected from the dead people was resurrected from the dead together when Christ was crucified. Do together when Christ was crucified. Do together when Christ was crucified. Do you remember that story? you remember that story? you remember that story? The The account is so brief, but we are The The account is so brief, but we are The The account is so brief, but we are going to look at it next time. Why the going to look at it next time. Why the going to look at it next time. Why the crowd crowd crowd got resurrected. got resurrected. got resurrected. I'm Tony Ricky. We'll see you back here I'm Tony Ricky. We'll see you back here I'm Tony Ricky. We'll see you back here on Thursday.