How Much is Enough?

[RobertCF]

Hi everyone. I'll try to keep this brief to avoid the "wall of text" syndrome. Still, this is from the heart...

My late dad was almost the stereotypical "puritan work ethic" sort. He almost didn't believe in God's grace, actually. The whole "saved by grace but kept by works" kind of thing. He justified it with pithy statements like "You have to do your part."

And for most of his life, he was miserable: full of grudges and convinced that "God does good things to OTHER people. But not to me."

So I guess my question is: how much is "my part?" People like Joyce Meyer love to drop those allegedly wise sayings that sound SO MUCH like my dad. "You do what you can do and God will do what you can't."

Lovely sentiment. But not very practical. I'm a hard worker, but I stress myself into sickness because I never feel like I've "done my part." Nothing ever seems like it's enough. Any ideas?

 

[SaintNick]

Just be, man.
Don't over work yourself. Or stress yourself with worry. Relax a bit.

 

[inquiring mind]

Hi everyone. I'll try to keep this brief to avoid the "wall of text" syndrome. Still, this is from the heart...

My late dad was almost the stereotypical "puritan work ethic" sort. He almost didn't believe in God's grace, actually. The whole "saved by grace but kept by works" kind of thing. He justified it with pithy statements like "You have to do your part."

And for most of his life, he was miserable: full of grudges and convinced that "God does good things to OTHER people. But not to me."

So I guess my question is: how much is "my part?" People like Joyce Meyer love to drop those allegedly wise sayings that sound SO MUCH like my dad. "You do what you can do and God will do what you can't."

Lovely sentiment. But not very practical. I'm a hard worker, but I stress myself into sickness because I never feel like I've "done my part." Nothing ever seems like it's enough. Any ideas?

I just wanted to say hello and welcome to CF... glad you're here.

 

[Justaman0000]

Your part is whatever Gods Holy spirit leads you to do. Anything extra that becomes too much is your fault. Sounds like you have too much on your plate. Its typical to get stuck in that kind of thinking. Thinking we never do enough. Step back ask God what he wants you to do and focus on that. It might be as simple as being a father and focusing on your children and bringing them up right. Love God above all and love one another as yourself. If you do that then you are keeping all of Gods commandments.

 

[RobertCF]

I just wanted to say hello and welcome to CF... glad you're here.

Thank, IM.

Your part is whatever Gods Holy spirit leads you to do. Anything extra that becomes too much is your fault. Sounds like you have too much on your plate. Its typical to get stuck in that kind of thinking. Thinking we never do enough. Step back ask God what he wants you to do and focus on that. It might be as simple as being a father and focusing on your children and bringing them up right. Love God above all and love one another as yourself. If you do that then you are keeping all of Gods commandments.

I guess this brings up a separate but related issue. I've heard before that the Holy Spirit "leads us." I've seen so many people say that God speaks to them. It's not my intention to be flippant, but I've been frustrated and offended because they've always acted like there was a heavenly choir and stone tablets. Meanwhile I've never heard voices, had out-of-body experiences, saw visions, spoke in tongues, or been slain in the spirit. All I've done is studied God's word, prayed, and tried to gather whatever crumbs of wisdom I could get from the heavenly table. Honestly I feel like a dog begging for scraps.

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm unemployed and getting tired of all those testimonies of perpetual prosperity.

Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in spirit." I guess by average Christian standards, I'm as poor as they come.

 

[Catherineanne]

Hi everyone. I'll try to keep this brief to avoid the "wall of text" syndrome. Still, this is from the heart...

My late dad was almost the stereotypical "puritan work ethic" sort. He almost didn't believe in God's grace, actually. The whole "saved by grace but kept by works" kind of thing. He justified it with pithy statements like "You have to do your part."

And for most of his life, he was miserable: full of grudges and convinced that "God does good things to OTHER people. But not to me."

So I guess my question is: how much is "my part?" People like Joyce Meyer love to drop those allegedly wise sayings that sound SO MUCH like my dad. "You do what you can do and God will do what you can't."

Lovely sentiment. But not very practical. I'm a hard worker, but I stress myself into sickness because I never feel like I've "done my part." Nothing ever seems like it's enough. Any ideas?

It is enough when you have done an honest day's work (not necessarily paid work) to the best of your ability.

How would you define that?

 

[Catherineanne]

Thank, IM.




I guess this brings up a separate but related issue. I've heard before that the Holy Spirit "leads us." I've seen so many people say that God speaks to them. It's not my intention to be flippant, but I've been frustrated and offended because they've always acted like there was a heavenly choir and stone tablets. Meanwhile I've never heard voices, had out-of-body experiences, saw visions, spoke in tongues, or been slain in the spirit. All I've done is studied God's word, prayed, and tried to gather whatever crumbs of wisdom I could get from the heavenly table. Honestly I feel like a dog begging for scraps.

Most of those people are using rather a lot of embroidery.

The most common way for anyone to hear from God is simply to read the Bible. You and I would be honest and say we read the Bible. Those who prefer embroidery will say they had a word from the Lord. as if he sent them a personal email. He didn't.

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm unemployed and getting tired of all those testimonies of perpetual prosperity.

Jesus did not have perpetual prosperity, neither did his disciples and neither did any saint that I can think of. You are in very good company.

I am sorry you are having a difficult time. You are not the only one; there are many thousands in the same position. Do you have a good support network of friends and/or family and/or church friends to help you to cope? If not maybe that is the place to start; build a team of allies and friends to help when things get rough.

Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in spirit." I guess by average Christian standards, I'm as poor as they come.

Pretty much standard for the saints; this is not a bad sign. The very best saints are given the most challenging lives to live; not much of a comfort, but true nonetheless.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

Hi everyone. I'll try to keep this brief to avoid the "wall of text" syndrome. Still, this is from the heart...

My late dad was almost the stereotypical "puritan work ethic" sort. He almost didn't believe in God's grace, actually. The whole "saved by grace but kept by works" kind of thing. He justified it with pithy statements like "You have to do your part."

And for most of his life, he was miserable: full of grudges and convinced that "God does good things to OTHER people. But not to me."

So I guess my question is: how much is "my part?" People like Joyce Meyer love to drop those allegedly wise sayings that sound SO MUCH like my dad. "You do what you can do and God will do what you can't."

Lovely sentiment. But not very practical. I'm a hard worker, but I stress myself into sickness because I never feel like I've "done my part." Nothing ever seems like it's enough. Any ideas?

My part...Micah 6:8.

 

[paul1149]

my question is: how much is "my part?

Hi Robert,
It's an interesting question. In my own way I've asked it many times, as I tend to get focused on my work. I don't think there's an instant answer. For me, it's staying in the Word, because the revelation of the Word to the heart brings freedom; it's prayer, where the truths of the Word are affirmed at very deep levels; and it's in considering my way on an ongoing basis. Many times we can learn by trial and error if we are attentive. When we are feeling dried up spiritually, it's time to "come apart to a desert place" and refresh ourselves, and take Jesus up on His beautiful offer of rest in Matthew 11:28-30 .

There's an amazing passage at the end of 2Chronicles. The chapter chronicles the last destructive years of the nation of Israel before Babylon conquered them and carried them away. It's not pretty, but worth considering. But then it lifts the curtain as to what was really going on:

2 Chron 36:21 to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.​

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Thank, IM.




I guess this brings up a separate but related issue. I've heard before that the Holy Spirit "leads us." I've seen so many people say that God speaks to them. It's not my intention to be flippant, but I've been frustrated and offended because they've always acted like there was a heavenly choir and stone tablets. Meanwhile I've never heard voices, had out-of-body experiences, saw visions, spoke in tongues, or been slain in the spirit. All I've done is studied God's word, prayed, and tried to gather whatever crumbs of wisdom I could get from the heavenly table. Honestly I feel like a dog begging for scraps.

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm unemployed and getting tired of all those testimonies of perpetual prosperity.

Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in spirit." I guess by average Christian standards, I'm as poor as they come.

Hello Robert,

I'm sorry to hear that you're unemployed at the present. I know that can be a difficult thing to deal with while it is going on. But, I wouldn't beat yourself up over that situation or think that God is 'waiting' for you to assert some spiritual formula to bring in the 'prosperity.'

No, I think God intends for life to be challenging in various ways for each of us, and in the midst of these challenges, we do need to do what we can each day as God provides the opportunity. Just remember that your success may or may not actually reflect God's blessing. It may be that sometimes, God is actually happy with how you are doing, even though the world isn't extending its hand out to you at the moment, or just yet (such as in case of a job offer, etc.).

In the midst of the waiting, just keep on praying, learning practical things for skill, and looking for those new opportunities as they come. Maybe read James chapter 1:1-5 and reflect on the message of these first several verses.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[LoricaLady]

Hello Robert,

I'm sorry to hear that you're unemployed at the present. I know that can be a difficult thing to deal with while it is going on. But, I wouldn't beat yourself up over that situation or think that God is 'waiting' for you to assert some spiritual formula to bring in the 'prosperity.'

No, I think God intends for life to be challenging in various ways for each of us, and in the midst of these challenges, we do need to do what we can each day as God provides the opportunity. Just remember that your success may or may not actually reflect God's blessing. It may be that sometimes, God is actually happy with how you are doing, even though the world isn't extending its hand out to you at the moment, or just yet (such as in case of a job offer, etc.).

In the midst of the waiting, just keep on praying, learning practical things for skill, and looking for those new opportunities as they come. Maybe read James chapter 1:1-5 and reflect on the message of these first several verses.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

I say "Ditto" to all of the above. I would also add that, if you health is strong, that you fast 24 hours on water only once a week and pray about a job and greater closeness to the Father and His Son. Fasting can cause great breakthroughs.

 

[Tangible]

Sounds like your dad needs (and maybe you need) a good dose of the proper distinction between law and gospel.

A Brief Introduction to Law & Gospel
http://www.freewebs.com/pastormattrichard/Law and Gospel_C.pdf
What Is the Distinction Between the Law and the Gospel?

 

[RobertCF]

I would also add that, if you health is strong, that you fast 24 hours on water only once a week and pray about a job and greater closeness to the Father and His Son. Fasting can cause great breakthroughs.

Breakthroughs? Can you define? I'm not trying to argue; I'd really like to know. It's just that my conscience has trouble with the prosperity gospel, so I hope that's not what you mean.

Sounds like your dad needs (and maybe you need) a good dose of the proper distinction between law and gospel.

Well, my dad passed away years ago. But I'm always up for useful information. Romans 10:9 and John 16:33 pretty much form the core of my life's doctrine, though I confess I'm still working out all the implications.

 

[Tangible]

Well, my dad passed away years ago. But I'm always up for useful information. Romans 10:9 and John 16:33 pretty much form the core of my life's doctrine, though I confess I'm still working out all the implications.

Those are pretty good verses. I would encourage you to check out the links I gave. It can make a world of difference in how you read and understand the scriptures.

And I'm sorry about your dad. I guess I didn't read your OP as closely as I thought I did.