The Goodness of God

Reading through Chip Ingram's book, "God as He longs for you to see Him", has given me a new perspective on the goodness of God. "God is good all the time...", you know the rest. Ever wonder why God is so good to us??? Why does God bless us? If you are a part of the human race, you may have this thought on why He is so good to us, "Maybe God gives to us so that we will give to Him." The kindness of God leads us to repentance, but not so that we will give something to Him. In Ingram's book, he wrote one line that blew me away...

"God never gives in order to get."

Let that sink in for a minute... God blesses us, because He loves us! It's unmerited. What makes us think we deserve God's goodness? Does He not send the rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you're a student think about your parents. If your a parent, think about your kids. Why do we give our kids, food, clothing, and THINGS?!? Is it because we are trying to buy their love? Of course not, It's because we love them and want to bless them! We want to see them happy! (Mom, Dad, this is free: Sometimes a conversation with you, a day with you, a hug from you, or a simple "I love you" from you will make them happy - not an Xbox, a car, or clothes).

Why do you give financially to the Lord? Why do you financially give to missionaries? Why do you give to help out families in need? If it's because you want something in return, SHAME ON YOU! Of course that's not the reason. We give because we want to see others blessed, not so we can get something in return. God never gives in order to get. He gives to us simply because - HE - LOVES - US! I take great confidence in that thought. When I look around my life the goodness of God screams out at me! He loves me! When I look at how GOOD He is to me, does that make me want to give to Him? Absolutely! But remember, that's NEVER God's motive. That's just who He is, GOOD!