Over the years, I’ve read a lot of Christian books on a variety of topics: growth, finance, marriage and parenting, just to name a few. I’ve heard oodles of sermons on topics ranging from creation to revelation.
The common thread running through most books and sermons is that experiences are generalized, and God is described as if He is one-size-fits-all.
I’ve had to learn that just because God worked one way in someone’s situation or circumstances doesn’t necessarily mean that He’ll work the same way in mine, and vice versa.
We generalize a matter, as well as God, when we tell others that He’ll work in the same way for them as He did for us.
God is intimate and personal. He takes our wants, needs, desires and prayers into consideration. He knows our hearts, and He acts based on what is best for us.
God doesn’t work like an algebraic equation: a+b=God will work in a specific way. To say that He does eliminates His character…His lovingkindness, grace and mercy. That kind of teaching is law-based rather than grace-based. Those who accept this teaching usually end up disappointed with God, and wavering between wondering what they did wrong or complaining that they did everything they were supposed to.
There was a time in our mid-twenties that Mark and I were doing everything we thought we were supposed to be doing. We were at church every time the doors were open, we participated in all kinds of ministries and Bible studies. And we tithed religiously. We’d both learned that if we tithed, God would give us back more than we were giving. So when we didn’t have enough money to buy groceries and pay our bills, we couldn’t understand why God wasn’t holding up His end of the deal. Of course, He always provided, but not in the ways we’d been taught. Our cup was not running over with financial blessing.
I can’t tell you how angry and disappointed I was with God during those years. I remember praying repeatedly, God, we’re doing everything we’re supposed to do. What else do you want from us? I also remember my faith and trust in Him wavering immensely every time I heard or read anything about tithing.
It’s vitally important that we understand that God works in individual’s lives based on their individuality. We can’t assume that God will work the same way for everyone.
When we tell our grace stories, we need to be careful to explain that God doesn’t write the same story in everyone’s lives. Each story is unique, each picture is different, with different threads weaving different tapestries. Let’s leave room for God to work however He will. Let’s make sure we don’t set people up to be disappointed with Him.
