The question posed in Romans 11:35, “Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?”, cuts to the heart of how we often approach God. In our human way of thinking, we’re used to transactions: I give you something, you give me something back. We sometimes bring this mindset into our faith, believing that if we fast, pray intensely, or make a significant offering, we are somehow putting God in our debt, obligating Him to respond in a specific way. This is a subtle but dangerous twist on true faith.
But the Apostle Paul makes it crystal clear: “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.” This powerful statement dismantles any notion that we can give God something He doesn't already own or hasn't already provided. Every breath we take, every talent we possess, every resource we have—it all originates from Him. He sustains everything, and ultimately, everything exists for His purpose and His glory. We are simply managers of what is already His.
Think about your creative projects, your business ventures, your daily work in Kampala. Even your ability to wake up this morning and reach for your phone to read this devotional is a gift from Him. When we perform acts of faith—whether it's giving to the church, serving in ministry, or fasting for spiritual growth—our motive should not be to manipulate God into giving us something. Instead, these actions should flow from a heart of gratitude and love, recognising His boundless grace. We give because He first gave to us, not to earn His favour or a return on investment (1 Chronicles 29:14).
This understanding liberates us from the pressure of “earning” God’s blessings. It reminds us that His love is unconditional, His provision is sovereign, and His wisdom is perfect. When we truly grasp that everything is “of him, and through him, and to him,” our worship becomes purer, our service more genuine, and our trust in Him absolute. “To him be the glory for ever! Amen.”