I Owe You One

LORD, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you. ~ Isaiah 26:12 (NLT)

“Hey, can you do me a favor?” Often times when we speak this sentence, we’re talking about something simple like holding a door open for us or grabbing something off the ground that we dropped. They are small favors for which we generally just say “Thanks,” when someone helps out. But then there are the big favors, where someone does something extraordinary to bail us out of a tricky situation. For example, someone leaves work early to come and pick you up because your car broke down. They go above and beyond really help you out. For these types of favors, our response is often, “Hey, I owe you one.” Maybe we don’t realize that when we say this, we are actually saying something like “When you are in need, I’ll be there for you like you were there for me.” In other words, we now owe them a favor.

Then, there are those who don’t even bother to say thank you to any of it. You picked up what they dropped? They accept it and just keep walking. No thanks given. You took time off work to pick them up when their car broke down? They get in the car and ride silently home then bolt into their house when you get there. No thanks, nothing. Some would say this is really disrespectful. Others would call it rude. I have to agree.

However, this is the very attitude that we often exhibit towards God. He has given us everything. He gives us life. He left Heaven to save us from eternal death. He defeated the grave, clearing the way to eternity. He forgave our sins. And on and on and on. Yet, when it comes time to give of our time, our talents, or our finances, we feel no obligation toward Him. We are the rude dude who just accepts His amazing generosity and doesn’t even say thank you. I’m sorry God, I’m too busy to serve your church. I’m sorry God, my money is tight and I have none left for you. That’s really what we say by our actions.

The reality is that we owe God everything. As our verse today puts it, “LORD, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.” In other words, everything we have, all of our accomplishments, all of our time, all of our talents, all of our treasures, are because of the grace of God. We owe it all to Him. So, here’s may challenge to you. Say thank you with your actions. Serve. Tithe. Give. Love.