“To trust God in order to get something is not faith, but self-interest.”

A thought by Leonard Sweet, (2014-02-21) from his book, The Well-Played Life: Why Pleasing God Doesn't Have to Be Such Hard Work (p. 43). Tyndale Momentum. Kindle Edition.

I find that to be a lot of people’s belief. They are trusting God in order to have good health. They are trusting God in order to get good grades. They are trusting God in order to not pay taxes or to not have to get health insurance or whatever self-interest they may have. But is that really what it means to trust God?

Leonard says, “Faith is trusting God because of who God is - trusting God when there is nothing to get, when everything is gone, when only God is left.”

Solomon wrote in his book of Proverbs that we are to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 [TNIV]). Trusting in God mean to submit to Him.

I have been in Florida this past weekend and I told a friend of mine this morning that I love being home. But then I told him that I would love being home no matter where home was. Yes I love living here in Pasadena, California but I would love being wherever God leads me to be because I have submitted to Him. That is what faith is all about.

So is it faith or self-interest for you?

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