Doing our Best for God - Do we expect a blessing or do we face consequences?

[Rachel20]

So, how many of us have heard this -

"Do your best, and leave the rest to God"

I took it as a Biblical maxim, however I don't have Scriptural reference to such a statement.
Life has taught me , that those who work hard and put in their best succeed. Those who are lazy, don't. These are just the consequences of our actions or in-action.

This is backed by Scripture.

Proverbs 10:4
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich

God is a fair and just God. He makes the sun to shine on both the righteous and the unrighteous.

So my question is, what happens when we don't put in our 100%? (Yes I am influenced by 1still_waters' thread on Singles Forum. Go check it out.)

If we don't give in our maximum, can we still expect God to bless that effort? As Christians, are we entitled to God's mercy and favour upon us even if we may not be as good as someone else?

We are told this

Colossions 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


I do believe that as Christians everything we do, we need to do it keeping in mind Christ and how we would glorify God. I think that perspective alone changes many things.

However too many times as Christians, it's easy to be bogged down by these defeats of life. Everyone wants to succeed all the time. So I want to understand is this thinking wrong?

Should we expect God to bless our work, if we put in our best? / even if we don't put in our best?

 

[Rachel20]

Drats! No replies yet!

*Note to self - Should have put Sabbath in the title!*

 

[oldthennew]

Rachel,

here is scripture that speaks to your question.

1CORINTHIANS 3:12-13-14-15.

Now if any one builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

Each one's work will become clearer; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire;
and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

If anyone's work which he has built on endures, he will receive a reward.

If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The Lord is not pleased with a lukewarm approach to His shed blood.
it really just gets down to, 'Love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and all thy might'....

we all have our ups/downs, and The Lord is merciful to us through it all but in the end,
we have to walk through His straight and narrow gate.

 

[john832]

Drats! No replies yet!

*Note to self - Should have put Sabbath in the title!*

What? You didn't think I would read a thread that is not about the Sabbath?

Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

 

[saved1975]

So, how many of us have heard this -

"Do your best, and leave the rest to God"

I took it as a Biblical maxim, however I don't have Scriptural reference to such a statement.
Life has taught me , that those who work hard and put in their best succeed. Those who are lazy, don't. These are just the consequences of our actions or in-action.

This is backed by Scripture.

Proverbs 10:4
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich

God is a fair and just God. He makes the sun to shine on both the righteous and the unrighteous.

So my question is, what happens when we don't put in our 100%? (Yes I am influenced by 1still_waters' thread on Singles Forum. Go check it out.)

If we don't give in our maximum, can we still expect God to bless that effort? As Christians, are we entitled to God's mercy and favour upon us even if we may not be as good as someone else?

We are told this

Colossions 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


I do believe that as Christians everything we do, we need to do it keeping in mind Christ and how we would glorify God. I think that perspective alone changes many things.

However too many times as Christians, it's easy to be bogged down by these defeats of life. Everyone wants to succeed all the time. So I want to understand is this thinking wrong?

Should we expect God to bless our work, if we put in our best? / even if we don't put in our best?

God gave His best (Jesus) for us, so we should give our best for God.

There are three main reasons why people fail to receive blessings and victories.

(1)lack of Biblical knowledge.
(2)Lack of faith.
(3)Sin, disobedience and self pleasing, instead of God pleasing.

 

[Rachel20]

Yay! Thanks for replying

Especially the scripture you posted Oldthennew

God gave His best (Jesus) for us, so we should give our best for God.

There are three main reasons why people fail to receive blessings and victories.

(1)lack of Biblical knowledge.
(2)Lack of faith.
(3)Sin, disobedience and self pleasing, instead of God pleasing.

I could bring up the example of Job.

I've seen so many times, as Christians, people who are wholly focused on God, and who try their best, don't always succeed as much as people who aren't Christians.

I was just wondering, should we always expect supernatural favour on our side? Or is this making God to be a genie, only granting us good things?

 

[saved1975]

Yay! Thanks for replying

Especially the scripture you posted Oldthennew





I could bring up the example of Job.

I've seen so many times, as Christians, people who are wholly focused on God, and who try their best, don't always succeed as much as people who aren't Christians.

I was just wondering, should we always expect supernatural favour on our side? Or is this making God to be a genie, only granting us good things?

You haven't seen any Christian fail, that who knows the Bible, Believes it and walking right with God.
God says we win.... NOT FAIL.
Rom 8: 37. 2 Cor 2: 14. 1 Jn 5: 4--5.


If we know and believe the Bile and are living right, The we can expect God's favour.
Ps 34: 9. Ps 84: 11. Jn 15: 7-9. Jn 16: 23--24. Rom 8: 32. 1 Jn 3: 20-22. 1 Jn 5: 14--15.

We don't use God as a genie, We don't have to, because He keeps His word and promises.
We receive them by having a knowledge of the Bible, Faith in God and by walking in right standing with God.


As for "Job", it was his big mouth and his fear that got him into trouble.
He said he feared a fear and it came upon him, he sowed a seed and reaped the harvest.