Where Did They Come From?

What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? I Corinthians 4:7

This verse continues to ring in my ears more than a month after we studied this text. This is a profound and important question that we must ask ourselves about everything in our lives.
Understanding that God is the source of everything in my life is essential ifI am going to live a Kingdom-focused life. There is nothing in my life, not a single good thing is mine for any reason other than the graciousness, kindness and goodness of God.

Do you have talents and abilities that set you apart from others? Where did they come from?
Do you have a winsome personality that opens doors of opportunity? Where did it come from?
Do you have financial blessings? Where did they come from?
Are you beautiful or athletic? Who made you that way?
Do you have wisdom and spiritual understanding? Where did it come from?
Do you have deep spiritual roots and a great family that got you started in the right direction?
How did you come to receive this?

There truly is no room for boasting in our lives. Everything comes from God and just as importantly, everything belongs to God and is given to us that we might magnify His name, His reputation, His fame and build for His Kingdom. In I Corinthians 6:19-20 and again in II Corinthians 5:15,Paul reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are not our own, but we have been bought at great expense and therefore we should live for Him who died and rose again on our behalf.

Consider that even our challenges, our difficulties, our shortcomings and deficits have come from God and can be used to magnify the name of Christ and build for His Kingdom. In many ways, our deficiencies and suffering shout even louder of God’s amazing grace to those who watch us and wonder at how we are able to be joyful, expectant and unselfish while facing otherwise overwhelming circumstances. In II Corinthians 4:7-11,Paul reminds us that we are ordinary clay pots, yet we possess this amazing eternal treasure in the indwelling presence of Christ so that people will know that it is God who is doing the work and not ourselves.

During this special time of year, share what you have, share what you are, give from your wealth and give out of your poverty. Bless others; share everything that has been entrusted to you, because it was given to you for this very reason. Exalt the name of Christ by acknowledging Him as the owner of all that you are and have, and then follow in His steps by laying your life down for the sake of a world that needs hope and love and peace that is found only in Christ.