Balancing the Books: God's Promise of Repayment
This sermon explores the comforting truth that God actively works to balance the scales of justice in our lives. It offers perspective on how God repays us for past losses, unfairness, and disappointments.
God promises to balance the books in our lives, making up for every loss, injustice, and deficit. He ensures compensation, vindication, and blessing, often exceeding what was initially lost.
Overview
The sermon introduces the concept of "balanced books" from accounting, applying it to personal losses and deficits in life. It argues that God, as a just God, promises to repay and compensate individuals for unfair situations, disappointments, and heartaches, ensuring no one lives in a permanent state of loss.
The preacher illustrates this principle with personal anecdotes, such as his church's journey from a rundown building to a premier facility, and the generational blessings that make up for injustices faced by previous family members. He highlights how God pays attention to every wrong and will settle the case at the right time.
Further examples include the Israelites leaving slavery with wealth and the story of Leah receiving children as compensation for being unloved. The sermon emphasizes that God shows special favor to those who have been at a disadvantage, causing them to shine and excel.
Finally, the message addresses how God can turn enemies into supporters, using the accounts of Pharaoh asking for Moses' blessing, a critic pastor becoming a supporter, and Ananas praying for Saul. It encourages believers to take the high road and bless those who have wronged them, trusting God to bring about vindication and double blessings.
Key points
- "Balanced books" means God makes up for life's losses, deficits, and unfair situations.
- God is a just God who sees every tear and injustice, promising compensation and vindication.
- God can balance the books for individuals and across family generations, making up for past wrongs.
- The Israelites' exodus with gold and Leah having sons exemplify God's repayment for disadvantages.
- God can turn critics and enemies into supporters, even prompting them to seek blessing.
- Maintaining faith and doing good to those who persecute is crucial for God to balance one's books.
- God never brings you out the same; He always brings you out better, often with double blessings.
In Joel Osteen's words
“Life is not always fair, but God is fair. He will add up all the losses, the disappointment, the heartache, the tears, and he will pay you back.”
“God never brings you out the same. He'll always bring you out better.”
“Don't waste your emotional energy on the Sauls in your life. Wait for God to do it his way.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Concept of Balanced Books
- A. An accounting term for making up for loss or deficit.
- B. God promises to balance the books in our lives.
- C. God is a just God who will repay compensation owed.
- II. Personal and Generational Examples of God Balancing Books
- A. The preacher's church moving from a rundown building to a premier facility.
- B. God repaying for injustices to previous family generations.
- III. Biblical Examples of God Balancing Books
- A. The Israelites leaving 430 years of slavery with gold and silver (Exodus 12).
- B. Leah receiving sons as special favor because she was unloved.
- IV. Dealing with Disadvantage and Loss
- A. Maintain faith; don't live with a chip on your shoulder.
- B. God can make the rest of your life so rewarding you don't focus on what was lost.
- C. God can bring new opportunities and blessings after loss (e.g., divorce, loved one).
- V. God Turning Enemies and Critics
- A. Pharaoh asking Moses for a blessing after years of disrespect (Exodus 12).
- B. A critical pastor becoming a supporter.
- C. Saul (Paul) needing Ananas's help after persecuting believers.
- VI. The Test of Blessing Those Who Wrong You
- A. Be the bigger person and bless your adversaries when they are in need.
- B. God causes enemies to be at peace with you (Proverbs).
- VII. Conclusion: A Double Dose of Blessing
- A. You are not going to live in deficit mode.
- B. Expect promotion, healing, and vindication.
Scripture references
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Insights
God keeps the true records, accounting for every injustice and loss.
Life’s unfair moments are not the final word on your destiny.
Compensation often arrives in ways we do not expect.
Questions & answers
What does the sermon mean by "balanced books"?
It's an accounting term applied to life, meaning God will compensate for losses, deficits, and unfair situations, ensuring no one lives in a perpetual state of disadvantage.
How does God balance the books for individuals?
God will repay compensation owed, bringing healing, vindication, and promotion. He makes up for what was lost by making the rest of one's life rewarding or by providing more in other areas.
Does the sermon suggest God also balances books for families?
Yes, the sermon states that God can pay back for injustices endured by previous generations in a family line, bringing blessings that individuals didn't directly work for.
What is the sermon's advice for dealing with people who have wronged you?
It advises against dwelling on resentment or trying to get even. Instead, one should take the high road, honor God, and be willing to bless those who have been adversaries, trusting God to bring about reconciliation or vindication.
How does God's justice relate to suffering or unfairness?
While unfair things happen, God is always fair. He sees every injustice and tear, and in His time, He will settle cases, turning perceived setbacks into setups for greater blessings.
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