Thursday, August 17, 2000
 

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18, New International Version

    What do we have that wasn't given to us, either by God's generous grace, unexpected blessing, disciplining hardship, providential opportunity, or our good health? And when we stand before the throne of judgment, what will our claim to grace be? Our claim on grace is based only on God's generous and loving gifts that have made us pure, holy, and whole! Nothing we possess, accomplish, or buy can give us such a claim. Only God's generosity, grace, and love can bring heaven's greatest gifts to us.