Gaining Brownie Points with God

After a particularly busy day of “good-deed-doing”, my husband plopped into his La-A-Boy and said, “I must have scored plenty of ‘brownie points’ with God today!” Joe loves to volunteer, it really isn’t a chore for him, but as it has been said that many a truth is told in a mere joke.  I think that deep within us all, there’s that same sentiment.  We know that going the extra mile for the boss usually pays off in the form of a promotion, pay raise or at very least an atta boy.  Even as children our parents where positively influenced by good behavior and ambition, so why not God?

First off, God is impressed with our good works, especially when they are done without regard for garnering brownie points.  Secondly, there is no need for points.  Once we, in faith, accept Christ , the admission fee to Heaven has been paid in full, there are no hidden costs.  Unfortunately many Christians still feel that they must constantly be doing things to keep in God‘s good graces. Or, perhaps they have a habit that they know does not meet God’s approval, so they do extra work hoping that God will turn a blind eye….after all they have all those accumulated brownie points to fall back on!  I hate to burst your bubble, but that’s not how it works. Yes, he expects us to perform acts of charity, because his Holy Spirit motivates us to do so.  When we do it for selfish reasons, to justify a hidden sin, or to make ourselves look good to men, that misses the mark entirely.

 Christ was, and is, our example in this area, and when we do the things that he did, prompted by our desire to be like him, that’s what pleases God.  “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10.  But, even if we never did anything work wise, which would be hard to imagine, our salvation would  not be effected,  consider the thief on the cross. But, I’m guessing that he would have done plenty, if he had had the time.  Verse 9 of this same chapter sums it up, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” So go ahead and get to work, but with a Christ-imitating  spirit, and forget about squirreling away those unessential brownie points.