When you pour your time and effort into a project, it’s really easy to feel like you deserve success. When the work you do doesn’t turn out the way you want, you tend to feel like you’ve been ripped off.

I’ve felt this way a lot for the past year. It was my last year in speech and debate, and this led me to dedicate even more time toward preparation for my events. When the competition season finally came around, I was ready to win. I honestly believed that I had earned it. This caused me to leave every tournament disappointed. Every time I felt like someone had stolen something that I deserved.

Let’s be honest. We all like to think that we deserve all of the good things that happen to us. However, the Bible says the exact opposite. Matthew 5:45 says: For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” This verse goes to show that God gives good things to everyone, not just those who deserve it. In fact, those who don’t deserve it are continually blessed because of His unfailing mercy.

Our culture relentlessly tells us that we deserve all kinds of good things. You deserve a raise, to be appreciated, a better car, good looks, even a new grill. The list goes on. We even try to persuade ourselves that we deserve all the gifts that God has given us. “The only thing we deserve is hell.” My dad would tell me this when I was younger. He’s right, we have earned eternal suffering. We deserve separation from God. Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Exactly three chapters later in Romans 6:23, Paul explains: “For the wages of sin is death.” The Bible is very clear with us. It tells us exactly what we deserve, and it’s not good things. We are worthy of punishment. Thankfully Paul continues the verse: “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The desire to earn the blessings of God finds its roots in our pride. I was proud of myself and my cases. I foolishly trusted in them to get me the win. When I didn’t come out on top, I was disappointed and even angry. If you ever feel like you have been robbed of something you deserve, I want to remind you: “The only thing you deserve is hell.” Thankfully Jesus had mercy on us. He held back His judgement and instead died to save us from our sins and our pride. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our works will never be able to earn our salvation. Jesus died to save us, and He offers us the greatest gift that we will never deserve.