My younger daughter was reading a novel at the dining table. A character lamented about money, saying it would bring respect and fairness. My daughter asked, “Daddy, is that true? I thought God’s grace brings fairness?” I affirmed her perspective, and it taught me a valuable lesson.
Friend, life is not fair, but God’s grace will fix our limitations (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). If you don’t realise the place of grace, you would keep struggling and thinking that more efforts will substitute for lack of grace. Just the way grace cannot substitute for effort, effort cannot substitute for grace (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12).
The apostle Paul really understood this grace-effort balance, and it made the difference in his life and ministry (1 Corinthians 15:10). He prayed in the Spirit and also laboured more than others. If you would succeed in life, you must not joke with these duo, and it is possible to do both excellently well (1 Corinthians 14:18).
Some people think that once you are prayerful, you don’t need to labour (James 2:17). Others believe that if you really know how to work more, you don’t need prayer. They see those who pray or attend prayer meeting as useless and lazy (Acts 4:13). I have seen diligent and frustrated people, and I’ve seen prayerful and bankrupt people. Ballance is key.
Like the character in our opening story, if you think that making more money would earn you honour and respect, you would pursue money at the cost of your soul (1 Timothy 6:10). While making money is great, you must not attach your sense of value or importance to it (Luke 12:15).
Your true worth is in your relationship with God (Genesis 39:2). Money is secondary and complementary. Self-esteem problems can plague the rich and the poor. I’ve seen rich people with low self-esteem, and I’ve seen poor people with healthy self-esteem (Proverbs 23:7). Life is not fair, but God’s grace makes the difference.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria