How can you tell when you’re depending on people rather than God? When you get upset with your boss because you didn’t get the raise you think you deserve. When you become angry with a loved one because he or she turned you down for a loan. When you do things like that, you’re sitting at the wrong door waiting for your blessing! Yes, it hurts when your efforts aren’t acknowledged. But you must understand this: God will use people as instruments to bless you, but He alone must always be the source of all your blessings!

Ponder these Scriptures: ‘You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth’ (Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NIV). ‘When God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them…this is a gift of God’ (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV). ‘She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her…silver and gold’ (Hosea 2:8 NIV). What was her problem? She ignored God and forgot that He was her true source.

We generally pursue and nurture relationships that are rewarding – and that’s important information. Why? Because only when you recognise God as the source of all your blessings will you commit to nurturing your relationship with Him. That’s why Jesus said, ‘Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6:33 NIV). When you pursue God, sow generously into His kingdom, and expect Him to meet your needs – your efforts will be blessed.