What Do You Bring to the Table?

Most of us like to make a good deal. We will tell the story over and over of how we were able to get something for half off, or it was the last one so they gave it to us for seventy per cent off – etc. We will testify of favor – favor on the job, with our landlord, favor with the mortgage company. We relish the “advantages” that come our way so much that it has been my observation that God understands this trait we have and when we first come to Him as a believer it seems as if He showers down upon us many advantages that appeal to this part of our nature. Not only does the sky look brighter and my hands do too, but we seem to have open doors all around us and unexpected treasures seem to abound – (now somebody out there knows what I mean and can say “Amen!”)

Well I can’t get this thought out of my mind, “what do you bring to the table.” What kind of bargaining point do you have when you are in the subtle negotiation with God that we as His people are always in. You know what I mean, in the back of your mind, those words you never say, but seem to pop up when you are praying to God for something – “God I pray you will bless me and my family with the funds to pay all our bills this month,” – and in your mind you think, “yes Lord, You know how faithful I have been, how much I have done for others, how I have been giving all these years” –
O.K. – maybe you can say it isn’t you, because you don’t say just those words – but I’m pretty sure that you’re somewhere in that ball park!

We all feel that we bring something to the table when we are negotiating (no, praying) to get the things we want. But have we brought an acceptable offering to the Lord? Have we brought the kind of offering that is a sweet smelling savor – I know that was under the law, but consider this New Testament scripture:

“And he, gazing intently at him, became frightened and said, What is it, Lord? And the angel said to him, Your prayers and your [generous] gifts to the poor have come up [as a sacrifice] to God and have been remembered by Him.
Acts 10:4 (AMP)

Cornelius had no idea when he went about “doing good” that those gifts would be remembered by the Lord and that God would give him the very gift he needed most – not wealth, or fame, but to be filled with His spirit!

Lately I have asked myself about some things in my life that I feel could be better – I reject the blame game, – what am I bringing to the table – and if my gift isn’t acceptable, why not? And if it is I can pray as Jabez did: God Bless Me, Bless Me Indeed and Enlarge my Territory! I want to be effective with all that I am as an offering to the God who has given me so much!

God Bless You,
Maria