A man named Jacob once vowed, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, and Yahweh will be my God, then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God's house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give the tenth to you." (Genesis 28:20-22, WEB)
Here, Jacob's vow actually seemed to be a bargain with God. He would worship God only on his own terms. If God blessed him, then he would worship God in response. Thus, he wanted to make sure that God would bless him before he committed himself to God.
How many of us are like Jacob, bargaining with God? "God, if you do this for me, I'll do this for you"? While God is all-merciful and patient with our weaknesses, bargaining with Him is unacceptable and we must repent if this is what we do. When we bargain with God, we're limiting Him, putting Him on the same small level as us, as if God is dependent on us somehow! Even if we could offer the world to God, what would that matter to Him who's the universe's Creator? Can we give God what He already owns? In our world, we operate by the "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" principle. But how nonsensical to think we can scratch God's back! God operates by "pure grace." Grace is His kindness freely shown to us when we don't deserve it at all and when we can't reciprocate it.
We must understand this principle: Christianity is not about us primarily. Christianity is about God and Jesus primarily, and about us only secondarily. God is not obligated to serve us. We are obligated to serve Him and His Son.
"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) This should be the goal and focus of every true Christian. Thus, we should worship God unconditionally, simply because for who He is, not because we want His blessings. We should worship Him without expecting any blessing or reward in return. We must never be like Jacob, who would worship God only if God blessed him.
What are your goals as a Christian? In other words, what is your reason to be a Christian? Ask yourself this question: "Would I love God or Jesus if they do not give me benefits, blessings or good things?" Would you love God or Jesus unconditionally? This is the most important question you can ever ask yourself. Your answer will show how faithfully and sacrificially you will serve Yahweh God and Jesus.
Dr. Shirley Cheng (b. 1983) is a blind and physically disabled award-winning author with twenty-seven book awards, proclaimer of Yahweh God's good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, Bible teacher, founder of www.Ultra-Ability.com Ministry, summa cum laude graduate with Doctor of Divinity, motivational speaker, poet; and author of nine books (including "Do You Love Jehovah?"), contributor to twenty-five, and an editor of one. Shirley has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. Back then, she knew only her ABCs and very simple English; other than that, her book knowledge was non-existent. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. http://www.ShirleyCheng.com
Do you have questions about the Bible? Something you don't understand? Do you need a bit of guidance in developing a relationship with Jehovah? Then Shirley would like to help you! Please contact her via her site at http://www.shirleycheng.com and she would be more than glad to do her best to answer your questions! Never hesitate to ask questions, for no question about the Bible is ever too small or stupid.